AAP govt contemplates removal of DERC chief
9 April 2015 4:57 AM IST
As the chairperson of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) PD Sudhakar has locked horns with the Delhi government, the latter is considering all possible measures to rein in the former including his removal from the post.
According to sources, AAP will use every possible steps- from mobilising social activists and experts to oppose the tariff hike in the public hearing of DERC to moving a proposal in the Delhi Assembly for his removal if the later does not honour the summon of Delhi Assembly.
“The government is very clear in its stand that the DERC chief is acting at the behest of power distributing companies (Discoms) and fulfilling their interests by hiking the power tariff as per their business interests,” said a senior government officer.
The government is miffed with the letter by the DERC chief that was leaked in the media. It is important to mention that the Delhi Assembly had passed a resolution on March 25 summoning him to appear, post which, he wrote to Delhi’s power minister Satyendra Jain, Sudhakar and contended that “the Commission is a quasi-judicial body” and is “ totally independent” to review the rates after considering cost of power and financial condition of the private power distribution companies.
The power tariff was a major issue for the Aam Aadmi Party during the Delhi elections.
The Kejriwal-government had announced a 50 per cent subsidy on monthly power consumption of up to 400 units in February till the government receives the CAG report on financial condition of the discoms.
Sources in the power department said the DERC chief is likely to face removal in the next Assembly session. The new power tariff hike is expected in June 2015.
According to sources, AAP will use every possible steps- from mobilising social activists and experts to oppose the tariff hike in the public hearing of DERC to moving a proposal in the Delhi Assembly for his removal if the later does not honour the summon of Delhi Assembly.
“The government is very clear in its stand that the DERC chief is acting at the behest of power distributing companies (Discoms) and fulfilling their interests by hiking the power tariff as per their business interests,” said a senior government officer.
The government is miffed with the letter by the DERC chief that was leaked in the media. It is important to mention that the Delhi Assembly had passed a resolution on March 25 summoning him to appear, post which, he wrote to Delhi’s power minister Satyendra Jain, Sudhakar and contended that “the Commission is a quasi-judicial body” and is “ totally independent” to review the rates after considering cost of power and financial condition of the private power distribution companies.
The power tariff was a major issue for the Aam Aadmi Party during the Delhi elections.
The Kejriwal-government had announced a 50 per cent subsidy on monthly power consumption of up to 400 units in February till the government receives the CAG report on financial condition of the discoms.
Sources in the power department said the DERC chief is likely to face removal in the next Assembly session. The new power tariff hike is expected in June 2015.
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