28% Delhiites get zero electricity bills in Sept
New Delhi: The month of September has brought smiles on many faces in the country's capital. The reason being simple — the AAP-led Delhi government's Mukhyamantri Kirayedar Bijli Meter Yojana has delivered a zero bill to many tenants in the city. The total domestic consumers with zero bill in the month of September stands at 14,64,270 out of the total 52,27,857 consumers. This shows that 28 per cent consumers received a zero bill in September, 2019, an official report said.
Tabassum and Anjum are two such tenants of Zakhira Chowk who had to pay Rs 300-400 per month for years but now the burden of electricity bills has been lifted from their shoulders. They received a zero bill. Like Tabassum, Shondha is also a receiver of zero bill. She is a house help who makes ends meet to send money back to her family in West Bengal. She said, "I am very happy to see that in place of amount there is no statistical number written. It is blank. At first I did not understand it but my husband explained what zero bill means." For many like Shondha it is a boon at the end of the month. The monthly expense becomes lighter and the amount of money can be used for other things. "This year I will send clothes to my 12-year old boy he has been asking me," said Shondha with glee.
Nanak Chand, from Kalkaji, and Mohammed Hira, a Dayabasti resident had a similar story to tell. Hira said, "I received a zero bill. I do not have to pay for anything. My daughter received a zero bill too. I am very happy with this government."
Under the Mukhyamantri Kirayedar Bijli Meter Yojana — a power subsidy scheme, tenants in Delhi do not have to pay bills for the electricity consumption of up to 200 units. The Delhi government also provides 50 per cent subsidy on bills for power consumption between 201 units and 400 units.
