Tiwari seeks LG's intervention for regulation of power tariff

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari has written a letter to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal complaining against profiteering by power distribution companies in the national Capital.

Tiwari drew Baijal's attention towards the 'multiyear tariff regulation' approved on January 31, due to which there is apprehension of power tariff hike in Delhi.

On the basis of suggestions received from mohalla sudhar samitis and other persons, Tiwari has requested Baijal to intervene under Section 108 of Electricity Act, 2003.

The BJP leader also demanded that there should be public hearing and suggestions of the public should be taken into consideration and the multiyear tariff 2017 be amended. Tiwari also accused of connivance between the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) and the companies.

Tiwari is of the view that under this connivance, the power companies want to earn profit by getting included the factor of Return on Equity in deciding the rates, which is higher than even the bank rates. In this situation, there would be a steep hike in the power tariff and more burdens on the people.

It may be mentioned that the DERC will shortly announce the power tariff for the year 2017.

In his letter, the Delhi BJP chief pointed out that his party has always opposed profiteering by private power companies. "Power distribution was privatised with the purpose of preventing power theft and supplying power at cheap rates to the people. But it seems that the Kejriwal Government is more concerned about the interest of the companies than the interest of the people," Tiwari wrote.