The Delhi government has made Aadhaar verification mandatory for consumers seeking electricity subsidy benefits, citing a steady rise in the number of beneficiaries and the growing burden on the state exchequer.
According to official figures, the amount allocated for electricity subsidies by the Delhi government had reached Rs 4,037.63 crore by February 2026. For the current financial year 2026-27, the government has earmarked Rs 3,500 crore for the scheme.
The number of electricity consumers in Delhi has increased by around 40 per cent over the past decade, crossing 7.3 million.
Official data show that in the financial year 2024-25, around 5.23 million, or nearly 84 per cent, of Delhi’s approximately 7.3 million domestic electricity consumers availed themselves of the subsidy. The number rose to 5.5 million in 2025-26, accounting for nearly 87 per cent of all domestic consumers.
Under the Delhi government’s scheme, consumers receive free electricity for monthly consumption of up to 200 units. Those consuming between 201 and 400 units a month are eligible for a 50 per cent subsidy, capped at Rs 800 per month.
According to a recent notification issued by the Power Department, the Delhi government considers it necessary to establish the identity of beneficiaries before granting them subsidies. Beneficiaries will be required to furnish proof that they possess a valid Aadhaar number.
Under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has notified that people seeking benefits under the scheme must provide their Aadhaar number through a government web portal or another mode prescribed by the government.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: abplive.com
