Chandigarh, April 16: The Punjab government Saturday announced 300 units of free power for households in the state every month from July 1, but with a caveat that they will have to pay the full bill if their usage exceeds 600 units in two months.
However, scheduled castes, backward castes, below-poverty-line households and freedom fighters will be charged just for the usage over and above 600 units. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made the announcement here on Saturday, fulfilling one of the key poll promises of the Aam Aadmi Party.
The party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal had promised free electricity up to 300 units for the state during his election campaign in June last year.
The move will put an estimated additional burden of Rs 5,000 crore on the state exchequer.
The Aam Aadmi Party said the scheme will benefit 80 per cent of domestic category electricity consumers in the state. (PTI)
