A delegation of MLAs lead by Delhi BJP chief Harsh Vardhan demanded the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung not to allow any increase in power tariff or any other charge which hikes the electricity bill of power consumers in the Delhi.
The LG, according to Vardhan, also assured them to release MLA development fund after culmination of model code of conduct.
‘If the companies improve their management and frame long term plan then they can make Delhi self dependent. It is unfortunate that the power companies of Delhi always think of earning profit,’ said Harsh Vardhan after meeting with the LG. He further argued that the loss of the power companies is artificial and they should not be allowed to increase electricity bills in any way till the CAG audit of their accounts is completed.
Harsh Vardhan raised questions about the justification in recovering fixed charge, and quarterly fuel charge being mooted by DISCOMS to increase cost of electricity to consumers in the city. The delegation also demanded corruption free and foolproof system of private tankers. The MLAs of West and South Delhi complained that there is great scarcity of water in their area and tankers are old and insufficient.
‘The LG has assured us to release the MLA local area development fund (LAD) after the model code of conduct for general election culminates,’ said Harsh Vardhan. It’s pertinent to mention that previous AAP government lead by former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has stopped MLA LAD funds to be given to MLAs since mid nineties.
Under this fund each MLA is entitled to get four crore rupees per financial year for development works in his MLA constituency. AAP government had planned to send the development money directly in the accounts of proposed Mohalla Sabhas which could not be materialised.
‘The LG also assured that the services of battery operated rickshaw will not be stopped and an appropriate way would be sorted out to continue their service,’ informed Vardhan.