Govt defends power tariff hike

Unfazed by criticism for the steep increase in power tariff, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday yet again justified the hike, saying power demand in the city has been increased, therefore rates have also been increased.

On the other hand, Power Minister Haroon Yusuf said the Delhi government would think about subsidy once Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission [DERC] finalised their decision.

When asked in May 2010, Delhi government had through a notification stalled DERC’s decision to announce the annual tariff for 2010-11, chief minister said that its an old thing and the issue is irrelevant now.

Dikshit also said that various factors in the current scenario has led to increase in prices of power in the city.

Earlier, Millennium Post reported that Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd wrote a letter to the Delhi government and recommended that Re 1 subsidy by government should increase between 0-400 units of power, as consumers are having a lot of complaints regarding their electricity bills.

Sources said that various Congress MLAs also demanded to increase the subsidy from government as assembly elections is slated for next year only.

An official from Power department said, ‘The DISCOMS want that if not from consumers, government can pay them in the form of subsidy’.