Has the Centre managed to dilute the Arvind Kejriwal effect in Delhi, or has it managed to add to it? After winning the hearts of enough of Delhi?s citizens by disconnecting their electricity meters on allegations of over-billing, the 49-day chief minister cut power tariffs by half for small consumers?this was to be funded directly from the budget?and he threatened to cancel licences of electricity companies. Power bills of those who joined AAP?s aandolan and didn?t pay their dues were also be to paid by the government.
Soon enough, however, the electricity regulator raised tariffs on account of past dues. And now the government has told the court that it does not have the funds to pay for those that never paid their bills?also, that it will create a bad precedent and encourage consumers not to pay their bills. The court verdict is yet to be heard, but if it strikes down such largesse, it will have a salutary effect?and not just in Delhi, since AAP is not the only party promising freebies from the states? coffers.
