DERC backs CAG audit of Delhi discoms

Incidentally,the DERC announced revisions in the power tariff after scrutinising the financial position of the discoms. “We finalised the tariff structure after examining their financial positions. But I would still recommend a CAG audit since it will be very different from the kind of auditing we do,” Sudhakar said.

In recent months,the BJP and the AAP have repeatedly demanded a CAG audit of the discoms — Reliance-owned BRPL and BYPL and Tata-owned TPDDL. Sources in the government said though the government was earlier against a CAG audit,they had reversed their position.

POWER TARIFF LOWEST IN DELHI: Sheila

Even as the BJP vowed to take out more protest ralliess over power tariffs,Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit asserted that power rates are the cheapest in Delhi compared to NCR towns,other Metro cities and several other states. “Our government has always been sensitive to issues related to the poor and middle class families. After the DERC announced the hike,the government immediately decided to grant adequate subsidies in electricity and has nullified the hike,” Dikshit said.

Dikshit said the BJP was misleading the people by promising a 30 per cent reduction in the rates,whereas the Aam Aadmi Party has been telling consumers not to pay power bills and to reconnect power connections that were disconnected due to non-payment. “They are not only misleading people but are all out to create chaos,” Dikshit said.

BJP PROTESTS IN CENTRAL DELHI

The Opposition BJP on Sunday launched a protest against increased power tariffs in the city with a candle march to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s residence from the BJP national headquarters. While senior party leaders and BJP members were arrested en route to Dikshit’s residence,the party vowed to make power hikes a major election issue.

Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel said despite the peaceful protest,party members were lathicharged and faced water cannons before being arrested. “As we tried to proceed further and reach the CM’s residence,hundreds of party members were arrested and taken to the Tughlaq Road Police Station,” Goel said. He added that they would now organise protests outside Power Minister Haroon Yusuf’s house.

According to Goel,after the latest hike in power tariff announced on Friday,over the last two years,there has been a 72 per cent increase in Delhi’s power rates. “The BJP’s stand is that instead of increasing the power tariff,it can be reduced by 30 per cent. The party has promised to do this when it comes to power in Delhi,” Goel said.

Goel said the Congress government and the DERC were “stooges” of the private power distribution companies (discoms). “The Congress government has just postponed another hike till the completion of assembly polls later this year to contain the backlash from common people,” Goel alleged. He added that the agitation would continue over the next two and a half weeks and would culminate in a massive “Bijli Rally” on August 11 at the Ramlila Maidan.