Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won the Assembly elections in Punjab. In its election manifesto, AAP promised to provide free electricity to people in Punjab, as it does in Delhi.

Now, it announced free electricity for up to 300 units per month in Punjab, as assured in its election manifesto. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made this announcement on the occasion of the completion of one month in office.

Domestic consumers in Punjab will get this benefit from July 1. However, their consumption should not exceed 300 units per month, or it should be below 600 units for every billing cycle of two months. If their consumption exceeds the limit, they will not be eligible to get free power and charged for their entire consumption.

That means, if anyone’s consumption exceeds 600 units, they will be billed for the entire consumption, but not just for excess consumption above 600 units.

But, this condition will not apply to people belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Backward Classes (BCs), Below Poverty Line (BPL), and freedom fighters. They will get free power for up to 600 units and will be charged for the excess consumption. At present, the free power for these categories of consumers is capped at 200 units. It has been increased to 300 units.

Besides, the Punjab government announced an incentive to bigger consumers to encourage cutting their power consumption. If they can reduce their power consumption by up to 600 units in 2 months, they will get 600 units of free electricity.

Thus, the government wants to encourage people towards cutting power consumption and saving money.

CM Mann also assured to waive off electricity bill arrears up to 2 KW until December 31, 2021, for all consumers. He also said that farmers would continue to get free electricity in the state. He says that though the free power scheme increases the subsidy burden, his government decided to benefit the people.

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