CAG Shashi Kant Sharma with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
Chief Minister
Arvind Kejriwal today announced that the three major power distribution companies in Delhi will be audited starting tomorrow, a prelude to a likely drop in electricity prices.
The unwell chief minister has not been able to attend office since yesterday, but is chairing a cabinet meeting right now which focuses on power prices. "If the companies have any objections about being audited, they should inform us by tomorrow morning," the 45-year-old former tax inspector said.
Early this evening, he met the government's national auditor, Shashi Kant Sharma, who agreed to inspect the finances of Delhi's distribution companies since they began doing business in the capital.
One of Mr Kejriwal's major pre-poll promises was that he would halve the cost of electricity in the capital if his Aam Aadmi Party or AAP was elected.
Yesterday, he delivered on another commitment he had made to voters - free water. His government has said that every household in Delhi with a working meter will receive nearly 700 litres of free water every day at a cost of Rs. 160 crores to the government. Families that consume more than that will have to pay for the entire amount, with a 10 per cent increase over last year's rates.
The AAP has alleged that power companies in Delhi colluded with earlier governments to over-charge residents. Discounting the prices will require a massive government subsidy. According to some estimates, that could add up to Rs. 5,000 crores if the price is halved for 40 lakh consumers.
The AAP's debut in the recent elections was meta - the one-year-old party placed second, depriving the BJP of a majority and forcing the ruling Congress into third place.
Mr Kejriwal formed the government on Saturday with external support from the Congress. He has to prove his majority by Friday.