<div>Delivering on yet another poll promise, the Aam Aadmi government on 31 December announced a 50 per cent subsidy on power consumption upto 400 units in Delhi and was well on course to ordering a CAG audit into the finances of three private power distribution companies.<br /><br />The decision to subsidise power tariff, which will involve a cash outgo of Rs 61 crores in the next three months, was announced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after a meeting of the cabinet.<br /><br />The subsidy, one of the major promises of AAP during the Assembly elections, will benefit 28 lakh consumers.<br /><br />The cut in the electricity tariff came a day after Kejriwal announced supply of 20 kilolitres of water free of cost, another key election promise made by AAP. <br />Integrated Story<br /><br />Questioned about the subsidy that will be available only for three months, Kejriwal said further decision on this would be available only after the audit report.<br /><br />He said the cabinet would meet on 1 January 2014 after the three companies submit to the government their views on the proposal for audit of their finances.<br /><br />"Only after studying their replies we will take a decision whether to audit or not," he said.<br /><br />To a question whether the government has the right to decide on slashing power tariff when a regulator was there, the Chief Minister shot back the government can provide subsidy.<br /><br /><br />(PTI)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div>
