BJP files police complaint against CM, DERC officials

Government, power cos connived to increase tariff

The Delhi BJP on Saturday lodged a complaint at Indraprastha Estate Police Station against Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, two members of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) and other officials involved in preventing DERC to decrease power tariff under a criminal conspiracy by the government and power companies.

A BJP delegation under the leadership of BJP Delhi Pradesh president Vijender Gupta assembled at Vikas Minar near ITO, proceeded to the police station and filed a complaint against the chief minister, Energy Secretary S M Ali, Reliance Power CEO Jairam Prasad Chalsani, DERC members A R Sethi and Shyam Vadhera and top officers of all the three power distribution companies.  The delegation even gave proof of the connivance to the station house officer (SHO). The delegation was assured of filing the case and action against the guilty persons by the SHO.

The complaint lodged by one Abhey Verma said that in 2010-11, the DERC had decided to reduce the tariff but the then Delhi government directed it not to do so.

“With the majority of DERC chairman and one member a decision was taken to reduce power tariff. The new reduced power tariff order was to be issued by the DERC chairman on May 5, 2010, but in the meantime, under Section108 of the Electricity Act, Delhi government directed the DERC not to implement the 23 per cent proposed reduction in power tariff,” said the complaint adding that after DERC chairman Brijender Singh retired and new chairman P D Sudhakar took charge, he issued an order to hike the tariff by 22 per cent instead of slashing it.

The BJP claims that there was a connivance between Delhi government and the three power companies and now, the people of Delhi are being burdened by increased power tariff whereas the companies are in profit. “This can be confirmed by CAG’s audit of the accounts of companies,” said Gupta.

Public movement

The party will start a 14-day public movement from Sunday in entire Delhi for raising public awareness on the issue of hike in the price of cooking gas, power tariff, FDI, scams by the government etc. Giving information in this regard, Gupta said that on the first day of movement  (October 14), thousands of BJP workers will stage dharna at Badrinath Mandir Park, Kashmiri Bagh, Dr Mujje Chowk, Khajuri Chowk, below Shahdara Pul, Pipal Chowk Khanpur, Peeragarhi Chowk opposite Richi-Rich, Tagore Garden, Uttam Nagar terminal, Shahdara Metro Station, Garhi Village, Prahladpur Chowk, Jahangirpuri Metro Station among other places and will demand the resignation of chief minister and the government.

All the senior national and state leaders are expected to address the public meetings.