On Friday, the ruling Aam Aadmi party announced that it would stop providing subsidised electricity from Saturday due to failure to get approval from the latter’s office, which could be seen as another round of tussle between the Delhi government and the L-G office.

The government led by Arvind Kejriwal was forced to take this step due to the lack of approval from the L-G office. Delhi Power Minister Atishi said. “From today, subsidised electricity will be stopped for the people of Delhi. This means that from tomorrow, no subsidy bills will be given. This subsidy has been stopped as the AAP government has decided to continue the subsidy in the coming year, but the document was published by Delhi LG provided. The AAP government cannot issue the subsidy bill until the files are back,” Atishi said.

Power subsidies benefit nearly 46 lakh people in the capital.

However, LG’s office condemned the allegations, slammed the AAP government and questioned the Kejriwal government for not invoking Section 108 of the Electricity Act 2003 to force DERC to audit DISCOM until now. Delhi LG slams the AAP govt for not conducting an audit of Rs 13,549 crore given to private DISCOMs in the past 6 years. LG reiterates support for electricity subsidies to the poor – reaffirms audit of amounts allocated to DISCOMs to ensure no theft.

“LG questioned the failure of the Kejriwal government to invoke Section 108 of the Electricity Act, 2003 to compel DERC to audit DISCOMs until now. LG emphasised that audits by CAG-appointed auditors cannot and should not be considered a substitute for CAG audits,” it added.

The L-G office also expressed surprise that the government’s appeal to the Supreme Court against its order to revoke DISCOM’s CAG audit was pending for more than 2007 and asked the government to expedite the process by filing an appeal for an emergency hearing.