The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan has announced a modification to its free electricity promise as part of its strategy for the upcoming assembly election. The new announcement includes free electricity up to 100 units and a fixed rate for the next 100 units. Chief Minister Gehlot stated that this decision is based on public feedback received after observing inflation relief camps and engaging with the public.
This significant announcement came on the same day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the BJP’s campaign in Ajmer, criticizing the state Congress for corruption and factionalism.
This marks the Congress party’s first major announcement since December, when Gehlot promised substantial subsidies on cooking gas. Additionally, the government had previously launched a health insurance scheme providing free medical facilities up to Rs 25 lakh at government hospitals and increased the minimum monthly pension to Rs 1,000 under a social security scheme.
The Congress party’s approach of promising free water and electricity, similar to the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi and Punjab, proved successful in Karnataka. However, reports suggest that the slow implementation of these promises has caused challenges for the Siddaramaiah government, with farmers refusing to pay power bills and demanding that the state government covers the costs.
The opposition BJP, still recovering from their defeat, has seized the opportunity to criticize the ruling party, with BJP MP Pratap Simha urging people to refrain from paying electricity bills from June 1 if their consumption is below 200 units.
