The hopes of power consumers for free electricity units and subsidy on inflated bills have been dashed with Energy Minister Nitin Raut saying the government is financially unable to extend the benefits. Raut's U-turn comes a fortnight after he promised that a decision would be made by Diwali.

While the minister said the state-run companies were also consumers and needed to pay their monthly bills, the Opposition blamed the indecision on a tussle between the three constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. It said the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party didn't want the Congress to take credit for the sop, if given.