New Delhi: Delhi Cabinet headed by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday decided to tweak the present policy of providing electricity on subsidised rates to only those consumers who wanted to continue availing the dole. The policy will come into effect from October 1.
This decision is bound to raise a political storm, and possibly subject the AAP government to potshots from its opponents.
Briefing about the Cabinet’s decision, Kejriwal said that he had been receiving offers from a number of consumers to forego the subsidies on electricity to help the government to use the money to construct infrastructure and civic amenities like schools and hospitals.
He informed that the government will soon conduct a survey to ascertain the views of consumers, and thus categorise who wanted free and subsidised electricity, and who want to be out of the loop.
“The government will give an option during the survey,” Kejriwal said, and the new dispensation in the matter would be effective from October 1.
The Cabinet has also decided to launch a policy for start-ups
Kejriwal said as per the proposed policy, the government will provide 360-degree help by way of hand-holding to start-up entrepreneurs to launch and establish their units.
The government will act as an enabler and facilitator.
Government’s help would be such as helping them to procure collateral free loans, and waiver of interest for one year following establishing of the start-ups.
Students of Delhi government colleges, who would launch a start-up, would be given a two-year sabbatical so that they engage in their venture. They would be given opportunity to get back and complete their course of studies and attain their degrees after the leave period.
The government will set up a “Task Force” to help such youth by way of counselling and other help to them.