In a key announcement ahead of this year’s Lok Sabha polls, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government has extended the scheme for zero electricity bills and subsidies to lawyers, farmers and victims of 1984 riots till 2024-25.

Informing about the Delhi Cabinet’s decision on the microblogging site, X, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal congratulated the people of Delhi saying that their 24 hours electricity (zero power cut) and free electricity has been extended till 31st March 2025. This also includes free electricity for the lawyers’ chambers, he said.

“Many people had doubts about the electricity subsidy – will it be available next year or not? Let me tell you that these people tried their best to stop it. But your son got this work done also. For your information, let me tell you that 24 hours electricity and free electricity is available only in Delhi and Punjab. In the rest of the country, there are long power cuts and electricity bills worth thousands of rupees have to be paid. Because there is a government of honest and educated people in Delhi,” Kejriwal said in a post on X in Hindi.

Addressing the media, AAP leader and Delhi Power Minister Atishi said, “I am extremely glad to announce that in today’s cabinet meeting, it has been decided that free electricity bills and subsidies will continue in 2024-2025 as well for the people of Delhi.”

Taking a jibe at the opposition, Atishi said, “As you know there is no policy of Arvind Kejriwal’s government which the opposition does not try to stop. Year after year, whenever AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal tries to do something for the people of Delhi or take any decision in the interest of Delhites, our opposition tries to stop his work.”

“Last year too, when the time for electricity subsidy came, so many attempts were made by the opposition to stop the subsidy. There came a time when we announced that ‘zero bill’ would end. This year too, there have been constant attempts in the past month to stop the Delhiites from receiving zero bills and ways to stop the subsidy of the Kejriwal government,” she said.

Atishi further said, “But as you all know once Kejriwal ji makes a promise to the people of Delhi, he fulfills his promise. Providing 24-hour free electricity in Delhi is a promise of the Arvind Kejriwal government, which we have been fulfilling for nine consecutive years. The electricity bill of 22 lakh families in Delhi is zero.”

“Today the cabinet has decided that electricity will remain free in 2024-25 also. Electricity will be free up to 200 units, half the bill will have to be paid up to 400 units. The scheme for farmers and lawyers will also continue. The scheme for zero electricity bills and subsidies will continue to be received by lawyers, farmers and victims of the 1984 riots till 2024-25. This benefit of the policy will continue till 31 March 2025,” said the Delhi minister.