Shimla, July 12
In a significant move, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, has decided to end the provision of 125 units of free electricity affluent sections of society.
The Cabinet also gave its approval to rationalise the provisions for Zero Electricity Bill for the domestic consumers by restricting subsidy to ‘One Family One Meter’ and interlinking the electricity connections with Ration Cards (Aadhar seeded),” informed a spokesperson. Adding that, ,” the Cabinet decided to abolish entire subsidy for Chief Minister/Ex Chief Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Ministers,, Ex Ministers, MPs, Ex MPs, MLAs, Ex MLAs, Chairmen of Boards/ Advisors, OSDs, all Class-I and Class 2 employees of the Government/Corporations/ Boards including IAS officers, IPS Officers, HPS Officers, HAS Officers, Forest Officers, Judicial Officers etc., all government Class A and Class B contractors and all income tax payers.
The decision comes in response to the dire financial state of the electricity board, which is struggling with a burden of about Rs 1000 crore and struggling to pay its employees. Industry Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan giving cabinet briefing said that this initiative by the previous Jairam government had significantly exacerbated the board’s financial woes.
While the free electricity scheme, introduced during the 2021-22 election year, had provided relief to those consuming up to 125 units, the losses incurred have necessitated this rollback for wealthier consumers. Notably, the provision for free electricity will continue for poorer households.
Chauhan also highlighted issues with multiple meters in affluent homes, which allowed well-off individuals to exploit the scheme. Henceforth, only one meter per household will be eligible for the free electricity scheme.
Despite the rollback, the minister assured that 80% of the state’s electricity consumers, out of the total 23 lakh, will continue benefiting from the scheme, affecting only about 20% of the consumers.
Additionally, the cabinet has greenlit several other significant decisions, including a 50% state share in the Rs 2000 crore Bulk Drug Park in Una, filling 486 Lecturer Physical Education posts, 157 school cadre principal posts, and creating 27 new Block Development Officer (BDO) posts, increasing the cadre strength to 123.
This comprehensive approach aims to improve both the state’s financial health and its employment landscape, he added.
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