BJP asks Jung not to allow power tariff hike

The BJP on Wednesday urged Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to ensure that there is no hike in power rates in Delhi till the private distribution companies’ accounts are audited by the CAG.

The party’s city unit chief Harsh Vardhan, who contested the Lok Sabha elections from Chandni Chowk seat, said the former Congress government was in league with the private companies and helped them fleece Delhiites.

“At the time of the privatisation of the power utility in 2002, the Delhi government had said that Delhiites are going to gain as power rates will come down over a period of time and there would be no power cuts,” he said.

Tata Power on Wednesday announced a loss of Rs 5,000 crore and demanded a hike in power rates.

The other two power distribution companies have also sought a tariff hike citing losses of over Rs 20,000 crore. Harsh Vardhan said, “If these power companies were burdened under losses, their contract should be cancelled and other world class companies be brought into Delhi through fresh tenders.”

“The private companies are against getting their accounts audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. They are also not sharing documents with the auditors,” the BJP leader said. He also added that the companies should not have problems in sharing their accounts with the auditors as they claim to be transparent.

“Now that the lieutenant governor is looking after the capital, the private power companies should not be given any chance to loot the consumers,” he said.
He said that the power companies claim to have reduced power thefts from 53 to 15 percent.

“The companies are saving over Rs 300 crore annually on this account but the consumers have not got any benefit in terms of reduction in tariff,” the BJP leader said.

HC declines PIL

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to further entertain a PIL challenging the decision of the DERC to allow three discoms to raise power tariff under the head of Power Purchase Cost Adjustment Charges (PPAC) costs, reports PTI.

“The DERC is the right fora. You raise the plea there,” a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Pradeep Nandrajog said while disposing of the PIL on the issue.
Earlier, the bench had asked the DERC to file its response as to whether it has complied with its own formula and procedures in permitting the discoms to raise power tariff under the head of PPAC costs.