Aam Aadmi Party's next dialogue on water, power on December 13

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party's next episode of Delhi Dialogue, to be held on December 13, will focus on power and water issues. Both are sectors which the party had promised to overhaul when it formed a government in Delhi the first time. Party sources said they will largely continue with the sops offered between January and March, including a deduction in power tariff and a water lifeline.

"An elected government must intervene in the power sector otherwise tariffs will be untenable in a few years from now. We have looked at the sector closely and found theft at each level, from discoms to fuel suppliers. More importantly, discoms need to be audited. They owe Delhi Transco Rs 3,500 crore due to which the transmission agency is cash strapped and has been unable to upgrade its infrastructure. The subsidy given by the AAP government for three months was Rs 270 crore for which a cheque was given to Transco," said senior party functionary Ashish Khetan.

In January, the party had promised 700 litres free water, consumption beyond which would be charged for the entire amount consumed. Dwarka, where DDA supplies water, and co-operative societies would not benefit from this scheme. AAP says while the free water scheme will continue, it will ensure that no area is without supply. "DDA is not under Delhi government so there is nothing we can do till supply is transferred to DJB. We will also work out a plan for co-operative societies. Till the Munak Canal water is released by Haryana, we will make alternate arrangements for Dwarka," said Khetan.

Former CM Arvind Kejriwal's order of banning private tankers had hit Dwarka residents hard since they were mostly dependent on private supply. Khetan says when the next government is formed, AAP may look at controlled regulation of private tankers. The party's focus would also be on conservation of water.

Delhi Dialogue will end on January 18 with a session on parking, public transport and traffic. Before that, sessions will be held on villages, health and education, traders, and governance, including Jan Lokpal Bill and other reforms.