Delhi consumers will now have to provide their Aadhaar details to continue receiving electricity subsidies, following a notification issued by the Delhi government’s Energy Department after approval from the Lieutenant Governor. Consumers can submit the information through a web portal or another channel designated by the government.
The notification makes Aadhaar information mandatory for consumers seeking the subsidy. The details will have to be shared with the electricity distribution companies operating in the consumer’s area and with the Delhi government. The Energy Department said the requirement is intended to establish reliable beneficiary identities and reduce the need for multiple documents.
According to the notification, Aadhaar-based identification is already used in several subsidy schemes. The department described it as a way to simplify the process and improve transparency in the delivery of benefits. Delhi’s electricity subsidy is provided through the distribution licence holders in their respective service areas, while the Delhi government pays the subsidy.
Consumers who do not currently have an Aadhaar card can apply for one and provide the relevant identity information, according to the details reported by Live Hindustan. The department has also allowed consumers to submit their information through the web portal or any other method specified by the Delhi government.
The requirement is expected to help identify consumers receiving the subsidy and establish how many electricity meters may be linked to the same person. For now, the subsidy will continue to be processed on the basis of the consumer account number, or CA number. The notification, as reported, does not replace that system immediately.
The department’s notification also refers to a possible future change in the way the subsidy could be transferred. If the subsidy is later sent directly to bank accounts, one person may be eligible to receive the benefit for only one electricity meter. The reported notification does not provide a date for such a change or indicate that direct bank transfers have begun.
Delhi’s current electricity subsidy structure remains based on monthly consumption. Households using up to 200 units a month receive a 100% subsidy, effectively making the bill zero under the scheme. Consumers using between 201 and 400 units receive a 50% subsidy on the first 200 units. Consumers using more than 400 units do not receive the subsidy and must pay the full bill at the applicable rates.
The subsidy scheme was introduced during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Arvind Kejriwal. The latest notification changes the information required from beneficiaries but, according to the reported details, does not alter the existing consumption slabs or subsidy rates. Consumers will have to follow the Energy Department’s designated process to submit their Aadhaar details and remain eligible for the benefit.
