New Delhi: With free water and power subsidy announced by the AAP government coming to an end in Delhi, both BJP and Congress today accused former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of "betraying" people by not making any provision to continue the relief.
"Arvind Kejriwal is fully responsible for the end of power and water subsidy in Delhi from April 1. Kejriwal had promised to give 700 litres of free potable water, which was a drama, and because of that despite Congress' support, he
deliberately sought approval in the Delhi Assembly to sustain power subsidy and free water supply only up to March 30," Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely said in a statement.
"When Kejriwal was intent on resigning, why he did not seek permission for providing subsidy from the Delhi Assembly up to December? The people of Delhi will never forgive him for this," Lovely added.
Delhi Congress Chief Spokesperson Mukesh Sharma said Kejriwal has left this issue pending to "vitiate" the atmosphere among the people. "Due to Kejriwal's irresponsible and anti-people activities, the subsidy given by the previous Congress Government has also been stopped," he said.
Delhi BJP's Campaign Committee Chief for the Lok Sabha elections Vijay Kumar Malhotra also put the entire blame on Kejriwal and said it was a "great betrayal" with the people of Delhi.
"The budget provision passed by the Legislative Assembly for the year 2014-15 as proposed by Kejriwal did not make any provision for the subsidy in power and water tariff," he said.
"There was provision for subsidy only up to March 31 and now the subsidy of Re 1 per unit being provided by the former Kejriwal Government to the consumers will not be available from today. This is great betrayal of Kejriwal with the people of Delhi," he said.
Malhotra alleged that Kejriwal is now shedding "crocodile tears" and playing a drama by meeting the Lt Governor and is trying to cover up this betrayal. "If there is no provision of subsidy in the budget then how the Lt Governor will provide subsidy?" Malhotra said.
He also appealed to the Central Government that it should grant special financial assistance to Delhi and "save the people of Delhi from the shock of steep hike in power and water tariff."
Soon after coming into power, the AAP-led government had announced 667 litres of free water daily for domestic consumption to each household having metered connection in Delhi.
However, according to the scheme if the consumption limit crossed 20 kilolitres, then the consumer would have to pay for the water and other charges. AAP also cleared a 50 per cent cut in electricity tariffs up to 400 units.
Before resigning from the Chief Minister's post in February, the Kejriwal government had got passed two appropriation bills, which made provisions for subsidy to continue till March 31.
Later, however, no provisions to continue the subsidies announced by the Kejriwal government were made in the Delhi Appropriation and vote on account bills passed by Parliament.
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