BJP slams discoms over fuel surcharge

Reacting strongly over the decision of the private electricity distribution companies to enhance fuel surcharge by five per cent,  Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijay Kumar Malhotra has termed the hike as an open loot.

Malhotra said the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission had found severe irregularities in the accounts of these power distribution companies and reprimanded them.

“But it is awarding additional benefit to these companies by allowing them to enhance the electricity charges in the guise of charging additional fuel charges,” he added.

Questioning the reasons behind the hike, Malhotra said it was difficult to appreciate it when all the three discoms in the city procure electricity from the same electricity supply company at the same rate, but they were charging different rates from the consumers.

“NDMC and MES also purchase electricity from these companies, but they do not levy any additional fuel surcharge,” asked Malhotra.

‘No fuel surcharge’

Malhotra highlighted that in the Memorandum of Understanding signed at the time of privatisation of electricity supply in Delhi ,there was no mention of any additional fuel surcharge from the consumers, Malhotra demanded Comptroller of Auditor General (CAG) to audit the accounts of the Discoms. He alleged that the Discoms are not being transparent in how they function.