Delhi BJP leaders stay away from DERC hearing

The Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party boycotted the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) hearing on Wednesday, as a mark of protest in support of demands of most resident welfare associations and the people of Delhi.

The saffron party also pointed to the "connivance" of the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government and its' private partners in the three power distribution companies.

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said: "Today's hearing held by DERC is a farce. It is a big deceit of the people of Delhi and there is concrete evidence of connivance of the AAP-led government and its private partners in the three power discoms of the Delhi."

Tiwari alleged that the Delhi government, in connivance with private partners in discoms, is making wrong interpretation of the law to keep DERC management posts vacant. "Not only is the appointment of the Chairman of DERC is sub judice, but the mal-intentions of the Delhi government is making no effort to fill other vacancies in DERC," Tiwari claimed.

"As a result, the single member commission seems to be working under the influence of the Delhi government and private companies," added Tiwari.

He also claimed that the AAP-led government, by considering ARR of private companies on basis of 2007 data of multi year tariff, is giving almost double equity benefit, thus putting a burden in the form annual expenses on power consumers in various heads.