Discoms seek power tariff hike, CM calls on minister

With discoms in the city seeking a tariff hike on the ground that they were running into losses, chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday met Union power minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and sought a special package for Delhi under the Centre’s ‘restructured accelerated power development and reform programme’ (R-APDRP).

But Delhi is not eligible for getting financial benefits under R-APDRP since power distribution is done by private companies.

If the Centre does not provide some kind of aid to the city government, it will be forced to increase power tariff, which it does not want to do in an election year.

Sources said Scindia has asked for a detailed proposal from the Delhi government before making any commitment.  

According to city principal secretary (power) Shakti Sinha, who participated in the meeting, Dikshit told Scindia about the problems discoms face and how their losses are mounting every day.

“Dikshit also briefed the Union power minister the reasons why discoms are facing losses, and sought help under the R-APDRP through which the Centre gives financial aid to states to restructure and improve power supply and distribution,” said Sinha.

“But since Delhi does not get any benefit under this programme, Dikshit has asked that we too should be given funds under this scheme,” added Sinha. He said his department will prepare a detailed proposal soon and give it to Scindia.

Earlier on the sidelines of a function here, Dikshit had told Deccan Herald that she would convince the power minister to consider Delhi’s case on priority since rising cost is effecting discoms, and they cannot manage with the present tariff.

“They have their own increasing cost of things, including electricity, the prices of which are going up. In such a scenario, we want the Centre to help us under R-APDPR so that some assistance can be provided to discoms,” Dikshit had said.

On whether power tariff will be hiked if Central aid does not come, she said, “What is the way out?”