Delhi is only state that has not raised power tariffs in last 5 years: Dy CM

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that there has been no hike in electricity tariffs in the national capital for the fifth consecutive year after power regulator DERC announced significant reduction in fixed charges on electricity in the city. The chief minister further said Delhi had the lowest power tariffs in the country and is the only place with 24x7 electricity.

"Congratulations Delhi For fifth consecutive year NO electricity tariff hike. On the contrary, for fifth consecutive yr (year), tariffs reduced. Delhi has lowest electricity tariffs in the country now. And Del (Delhi) is the only place in India wid (with) 24×7 electricity (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia claimed that Delhi is the only state in the country that has not allowed electricity bills to rise for five consecutive years. Not just have prices not gone up, they have actually gone down during the last five years.

Sisodia claimed further that in every other state in the country, electricity prices continually increase year-on-year. In Delhi, the electricity bill for 200 units with 2 KW load in 2010 was Rs 539. In 2013, this went to Rs 928. In 2018 the bill was Rs 660, and after today's order the bill for 200 units will now be Rs 408.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced four months ago that fixed charges in Delhi will be reduced soon. Referring to the chief minister's assurance, Dy CM Shri Sisodia said, "The chief minister's assurance has been fulfilled today. Until there is an Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi, Delhi residents will continue to receive cheap electricity."

Speaking about the improvements in the power supply over the five year period, the deputy chief minister said, "The other major achievement of the Kejriwal government has been the substantial reduction in power cuts. The number of power cuts has plummeted in the last five years. Power cuts were a regular feature in Delhi only some years ago. Now the generator set, inverter industry has been forced to shut down because of regular and reliable power supply in the city."

"The question is, if power prices in Delhi can reduce every year, why can't other states do the same? If Delhi can provide 24x7 electricity, why can't other states? If you compare prices with BJP ruled Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Congress ruled Punjab, Rajasthan, the prices are lowest in Delhi. In Gurgaon, for 200 units of power, the bill is Rs 910. In Noida, Ghaziabad it is Rs 1310. In Mumbai it is Rs 1410. In Ajmer, the bill is Rs 1588. In Delhi, it is significantly cheaper at Rs 408. There is a massive scam in electricity pricing in other states and we demand a CBI inquiry into the pricing of power in these states," said Dy CM Sisodia.

Crediting the chief minister for the making affordable and reliable electricity a reality, Dy CM Sisodia continued, "This has only happened because the chief minister is honest and is concerned about the well-being of the people. Until the Kejriwal government is here, Delhi residents will continue to have cheaper electricity."

Power Minister Satyendra Jain, who also addressed the press conference, said, "The other big benefit announced today is for Delhi's small traders, businessmen and service providers. Consumers using a commercial connection up to 3 KW load has been slashed from Rs 8.50 to Rs 6. This will significantly benefit local kirana shops, doctors, CAs, and others."