Congress Promises Cheap Power, Waiver on Water Bills (Lead)

New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) Seeking to hard sell its "achievements" during its 15-year-rule in Delhi, the Congress in its poll manifesto Monday promised cheap electricity and waiver on inflated water bills.

Tapping into the public anger over alleged inflated power bills, the Aam Aadmi Party had ousted the Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government in 2013 Delhi assembly polls.

"Power would be provided at Rs.1.50 per unit for up to 200 units. And those who consume power above 200 units would get 50 percent subsidy on their bills," Congress Delhi unit chief Arvinder Singh Lovely told reporters.

Releasing the manifesto, which talks about concessional passes for students in Metro trains and cyber cafes, Lovely said: "The party has made only realistic promises."

He said for the first time, the party was launching manifesto in two parts. The second part would come in a few days, he added.

The 16-page manifesto also talks about inducting more power distribution companies to give consumers a choice of option.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recent election rally for the BJP in Delhi, announced the entry of more power distribution companies in the capital which currently has only three.

Installation of CCTV cameras in state-run buses, WiFi enabled public transport also figure in the list of the Congress poll promises.

The party said if voted to power, it would increase pension to all deserving categories to Rs.2,000 per month.

It also promised to hike the salary of Anganwadi workers by up to 50 percent and provide 24x7 diagnostic centres in the state-run hospitals.