Chandigarh MP Advocates for Free Electricity and Water for Low-Income Families
Chandigarh: MP pitches for free power, water for low-income families in UT
Hindustan Times
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Manish Tewari, Member of Parliament for Chandigarh, has proposed a welfare scheme to provide low-income households with 300 units of free electricity and 20,000 litres of free water. He cites financial viability due to savings from recent power privatization and urges the Chandigarh administration to allocate funds for this initiative.
- 01Manish Tewari proposes 300 units of free electricity and 20,000 litres of free water for low-income families in Chandigarh.
- 02The initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens on urban poor and lower middle-class families.
- 03Savings from the privatization of electricity distribution have created a fiscal space of ₹856.01 crore.
- 04Tewari suggests seeking supplementary grants of ₹856-1,000 crore to fund the program.
- 05Providing free water is estimated to cost ₹15-20 crore, manageable by the Municipal Corporation.
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Manish Tewari, the Member of Parliament representing Chandigarh, has called on the Chandigarh administration to implement a targeted welfare scheme aimed at assisting low-income households. The proposal includes offering 300 units of free electricity and 20,000 litres of free water per month to families earning below ₹20,000. Tewari's advocacy stems from his observations of increasing distress among urban poor and lower middle-class families, particularly in light of rising food prices and living costs. He noted that many residents are struggling to meet lease rentals and facing penalties due to financial strain. The MP highlighted that the privatization of electricity distribution in February 2023 has resulted in significant savings, creating a fiscal space of ₹856.01 crore that could be utilized for subsidizing electricity. He recommended that the administration pursue ₹856-1,000 crore through supplementary grants to reimburse the Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL), drawing parallels with similar models in Delhi and Punjab. Additionally, he estimated that providing free water would cost the Municipal Corporation around ₹15-20 crore, a feasible amount for the local government to manage.
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If implemented, this scheme could significantly reduce monthly expenses for low-income families in Chandigarh, alleviating financial stress caused by rising living costs.
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