Delhi power consumers must be ready to pay 6 percent hiked power tariffs from Monday, which was hiked by Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on last Friday. However, Delhi government has asked DERC to review the order, as the government does not agree with the decision of the DERC.
On November 14, 2014, the DERC had to <g data-gr-id="28">withdrew</g> the power tariff hike of up to seven percent, due to the Union Government eyeing on Delhi assembly polls on February 7, 2015. That decision to roll back power tariff hike put question marks on DERC, which always claims itself to be an autonomous body.
Despite opposed by fifteen AAP MLAs to hike power tariffs in Delhi, DERC has announced the surcharge will be levied at six per cent for consumers of BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd, while it will be four <g data-gr-id="33">per cent</g> for those getting power supply from Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd.
The Consumers in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) areas will have to pay 5 <g data-gr-id="21">per cent</g> surcharge.
Just after the announcement of <g data-gr-id="22">power</g> tariff hike by DERC, Delhi government immediately issued a statement that the government does not agree with the decision of DERC.
“The government has also decided to seek opinion for taking legal recourse against this decision, which in its view is uncalled for since no financial burden should be passed on to consumers till all issues arising out of the functioning of power distribution companies are sorted out,” according to a statement released by the government.
After the announcement of tariff hike, a new confrontation was viewed. Earlier, the Delhi Assembly Speaker wanted to summon the DERC Chief PD Sudhakar, to the Delhi Assembly, but Sudhakar has reportedly said that the DERC Chief could neither be called to the Assembly nor his name could be mentioned during the Vidhan Sabha proceeding as the body is autonomous.