JOIN USDelhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel on Wednesday summoned Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman P D Sudhakar to the Assembly after Aam Aadmi Party legislators alleged irregularities by the power distribution companies.
The alleged irregularities included issues related to tampered electricity meters and inflated bills. Accusing the power regulator of giving a free run to discoms, Sangam Vihar MLA Dinesh Mohaniya said, "The DERC plays an important role in power distribution but the way they have favoured power companies, raises suspicion.”
"During summer season, there is shortage of electricity and power companies demand increase in power tariff claiming they are in loss. Since 2002, every year they make same claims. I demand that their working be examined," he said.
“This Assembly should examine if role of the DERC is independent,” the AAP MLA said.
Other members also supported his appeal and demanded that the DERC chairman be summoned. “I admit people of Delhi are troubled with whims and fancies of power companies. The DERC chairman will be asked to come in next session of Assembly," Speaker Ram Niwas Goel said.
Opposition BJP also agreed to summon the DERC chief. The leader of the BJP legislature party, Vijender Gupta, said if the rules permit he has no objection to DERC chief being called for the sitting of the House.
The DERC is a quasi-judicial body which works independently without any intervention from the government. Its functioning has come under the scanner after the AAP formed government in Delhi.
The AAP has always accused previous governments of aiding the power discoms, and the party had used this as a plank for the recently concluded Delhi Assembly polls.
Keeping its key promise to votes, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government had last month slashed the power tariff by 50 per cent for consumption up to 400 units per month.