Direct Delhi govt to revoke power surcharge: Gupta asks LG

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta on Thursday complained to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal that the Delhi government is burdening electricity consumers by imposing a 3.7 per cent surcharge to irregularly meet pension liability of retired Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) employees, instead of meeting it out of its own funds.

Gupta said, "It is against the agreement reached at the time of privatisation," adding that the LG assured a BJP delegation of getting the matter examined for necessary action.

The BJP leader urged Baijal to direct the Delhi government to pay the required funds to DVB Employees Terminal Benefits Fund, 2002 (Pension Trust), from its own budget, as per its commitment and save consumers from paying the surcharge at 3.7 percent of the electricity bill.

Gupta, alongwith other BJP MLAs, submitted a memorandum to the LG, over the provision of pension to erstwhile DVB employees and other DVB employees who became part of private power distribution companies in Delhi.

"The imposition of surcharge of 3.7 per cent on consumers, because of government failure to honour its obligation, is totally unjustified," said Gupta.