New Delhi, Jul 2: Unfazed by criticism for the steep increase in power tariff, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today justified the hike saying it was done to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the city.
She also announced continuation of Rs one subsidy per unit to those who limit monthly consumption to 200 units.
“The DERC had to hike the tariff to ensure that people of Delhi continue to get power..If anybody has any grivance or wants to say anything about the hike, then they should go to DERC or the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission,” she said.
The Chief Minister, who had been favouring hiking the tariif to insulate the discoms from rising power purchase cost, said the demand has gone up significantly and there was a need to control consumption of power by the people.
“People do not have control over power consumption. People use four-five air-conditioners (in one household). They will have to change their habits,” Dikshit said.
The decision to continue giving the subsidy to the consumers who limit their consumption to 200 units was taken at a cabinet meeting presided by Dikshit.
Power tariff for domestic consumers was hiked by a steep 26 per cent - the fourth increase in 10 months - which came as a shock to people already burdened by high inflation and petrol price rise.
The new tariff came into effect from yesterday. The average hike was 20.87 per cent for all segements was taken into account.
The government has been giving the subsidy for the last four years and officials said the cabinet had to take a decision afresh as the previous notifications lapsed following announcement of a new tariff order by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission.
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