New Delhi, Jun 14: Delhi BJP today accused the Shiela Dikshit Government and Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission of trying to increase power tariff by introducing the fourth slab.
Delhi BJP Chief Vijay Goel attacked Chief Minister Shiela Diskhit for "abdicating her responsibilities" and for not taking strict action against discoms, as the city continued to suffer long and unscheduled power outages.
"A section of media has reported that the DERC may introduce a new fourth slab for domestic consumers. This will further increase the burden on domestic consumers who are suffering from high power tariff in three slabs," he said.
This is unacceptable and BJP will strongly oppose any such move, he added.
He alleged that the government has formed an unholy nexus with discoms and DERC and announced that his party will launch an agitation on the issue on June 18.
Goel said that the people of Delhi "are aghast at the fact that here was a chief minister who instead of controlling the DISCOMS free run, throws up her hand in air and says 'What can I do?' when people confront her on the issue of power tariff and power outages".
"In fact, she has a habit of abdicating her responsibility by always expressing her helplessness on issues concerning Delhi citizens. Whenever a problem comes, right from law and order to poor power and water situation, the CM has a signature reply of 'What can I do?'"
If Dikshit can't provide relief then, then she has no right to be the CM of Delhi, the BJP leader said.
Goel said that the Delhi government and DERC standfully exposed by a DERC letter, wherein for the first time it has made it public that it has recognised the regulatory asset (losses that will be claimed from the people) of Rs 3225.29 crores up to 2010-11 for BRPL only.
BRPL and its balance sheet have already considered regulatory asset of 5417.75 crores. When DERC had accepted Rs 827 crores as regulatory asset of BRPL, the rates increased by 15 per cent.
With regulatory assets of Rs 2,398 crore, the power rates will go up by 45 per cent and in case DERC acknowledges the regulatory asset of 5417.75 crores, the rates are bound to be doubled, he said.
Goel said when power distribution was privatised, Delhi government claimed that it would ensure round the clock power supply at low tariff. But today neither power is available round the clock, nor it is affordable.
