Don’t be selective with subsidy, BJP tells AAP

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday termed the subsidy on water and power tariffs an ‘eyewash’ and said those consuming extra should not be charged.

Vijendra Gupta, BJP’s leader in the legislative assembly, said AAP’s commitment had been for everyone, but the government now was restricting the number of households that would benefit from the subsidies.

“The benefit should be for everyone. If someone is consuming more than 400 units, he should get subsidy for at least 400 units. The government can apply normal charges after that. We will not tolerate discrimination,” said Gupta.

The BJP leader claimed that the AAP-led Delhi government was trying to mislead the common public as 50% of Delhi didn’t have access to Delhi Jal Board (DJB) supply.

“They will provide free water only to those households that have meters in their houses. The problem is only 30% have metered connections. In rest of the areas, DJB recovers flat charges as they don’t have meters. The government should first ensure that meters are installed in every household. They should also not charge anyone for using 700 litres of water SATISH UPADHYAY, Delhi BJP chief

as promised. Any consumption over and above 700 litres, should be charged,” Gupta added.

“Last year, when the finance minister had presented the Delhi budget in Parliament, he had provided a subsidy of `1.20 per unit for up to 200 units and a subsidy of 80 paise per unit any consumption after that. This was provided from the central fund. But now the AAP government, which had promised to cut power tariffs by 50%, is playing with the consumers,” Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said. KIRAN CHAUDHARY, homemaker