To extend power subsidy to tenants, Govt planning prepaid meters

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to give the benefit of electricity subsidy for tenants residing in different parts of Delhi, the government has planned to launch pre-paid meters for both tenants and landlords. Power Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday held a meeting with senior officials of the department and all the Discoms to discuss the issue of providing the benefit of electricity subsidy for tenants residing in different parts of Delhi.

"Pre-paid meters will be beneficial for both the landlords and tenants and will help all concerned parties in easy billing," Jain said. The minister has asked the department and discoms to prepare a feasibility report on the options and also an implementation roadmap. He directed the officials and discoms to explore the options of pre-paid electricity meters and simplification of documentation for allowing tenants in different parts of Delhi to avail the benefit of electricity subsidy, which is available for domestic consumers.

In the meeting, various options were discussed on how this facility will be extended to the tenants, who had complained to the Chief Minister that they have been deprived of this benefit, which has been available to the domestic consumers using up to 400 units of electricity every month, since February 2015. According to officials, the said plan will be helpful for the tenants. The officials added that to develop this new method, lots of changes in the existing system would be needed. The officials will prepare a report where they will include the existing problems and thereafter make the roadmap.