Free Electricity Scheme Restricted, Stay On Phone Distribution: BJP Government In Rajasthan Pauses Freebie Schemes Of Gehlot

The Bhajan Lal Sharma-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has decided to scrap a couple of freebie schemes started by erstwhile Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot when Congress was in power.

In May last year, Gehlot announced 100 units of free electricity for households, keeping in mind the Assembly elections that happened later this year. However, the Congress lost.

The Sharma government has now decided that only 98.23 lakh households, that registered for the scheme till March this year, will continue to get free electricity, while the scheme will not be extended to any more households.

Similarly, a stay has been put on another Gehlot scheme intended to give mobile phones to one woman of every household. The scheme was started in August 2023 and 24.56 lakh women were given mobile phones with data till October.

The Model Code of Conduct for Assembly elections was implemented then, leading to a pause on the scheme. After coming to power, the BJP reviewed the scheme and has decided to continue the stay.

The two decisions came to light in the Sharma government's written response in the Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly on Monday (22 July).