Guwahati: A video of Delhi’s power minister, Atishi, claiming that the power subsidy in the national capital will end has gone viral online just before the sixth phase of polling on May 25. The video features Hindi text translating to “Free electricity ends in Delhi.”
Many users on X (formerly Twitter) have shared the clip, suggesting the party has decided to end the subsidy before the elections, urging voters to reconsider their choices. Archived versions of such posts can be found here, here, and here.
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In the 34-second clip, Atishi states, “The power subsidy for 46 lakh families in the national capital ends today, meaning from tomorrow, subsidized electricity bills will no longer be provided. Those previously receiving zero bills will see an increase, and those with a 50 per cent subsidy will face higher bills.”
However, this video is from a press conference held in April 2023, where Atishi claimed that the subsidy might end because VK Saxena, the lieutenant governor of Delhi, had not cleared the necessary file.
Logically Facts discovered a video posted by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on its official X channel ((archived here) on April 14, 2023. In it, Atishi said that the government might have to end the power subsidy due to the LG’s pending approval.
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She presented letters from electricity distribution companies (discoms) to the government, indicating their intention to raise tariffs for 2023-2024, and highlighted a letter from Tata Power announcing non-subsidized billing due to the lack of communication about the subsidy continuation.
The viral video only includes the first minute and 20 seconds of the original footage. The full video shows Atishi explaining the reasons behind the potential subsidy withdrawal, which are omitted in the viral clip.
According to a Hindustan Times report, the LG’s office denied these claims, stating that the extension of the power subsidy was approved. The AAP government said it was done post the press conference, while the LG’s office maintained it was cleared the day before.
The Delhi government provides free electricity for monthly consumption of up to 200 units and a 50 per cent subsidy for consumption between 201-400 units, costing the government approximately Rs 3,500 crore annually.
On March 7, 2024, AAP announced that the Delhi Cabinet of Ministers, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, approved the continuation of the power subsidy scheme for the financial year 2024-25.
A cropped video from an April 2023 press conference, where Delhi’s power minister Atishi announces the potential “end” of the power subsidy, is being misrepresented ahead of the polling in the national capital.
This story is republished from Logically Facts as part of the Shakti Collective. Read the original story here.