Delhi power consumers get some relief, fixed charges increase

The DERC on Wednesday announced revised electricity rates for consumers, with the Aam Aadmi Party government claiming that bills for domestic users will come down with lower rates, even though fixed charges per month had increased.

Addressing the media here after Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) announced the revised tarrif, Power Minister Satyendar Jain said that the electricity bills of all domestic consumers across different categories had come down.

"Everyone's bills have come down -- for some by Rs 100, for some by Rs 50...," Jain said.

Jain said the fixed rate levied per month had to be increased as the central government had increased the same on electricity produced by power plants from which the Delhi government purchases power, by 50 paise per unit.

Speaking at the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said: "For the fourth year, electricity will not be costly in Delhi."

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Vijender Gupta said in the house that the rates have increased.

"The Delhi government is misleading the Assembly. Electricity rates have increased," Gupta said, to which Jain said: "If your bill has increased even by a rupee, I'll give you the money."

Gupta criticised the government on two counts with regard to the revision of tariff.

"Firstly, it is misleading that electricity consumers that the DERC has reduced power tariff. Secondly, it is directly conniving with the discoms in effecting exorbitant hike in fixed charges. The full benefit of the fixed charges will go to discoms," he said.

"Therefore, the government is not speaking of increased financial burden on most consumers," the BJP leader added.

Gupta urged the DERC to roll back the increased fixed charges.

"For a domestic consumer suing 401 units and having a 5KW connection... as per the revised rate, he will have to pay Rs 140 per KW per month in place of earlier fixed charge of Rs 35/KW per month.

"Thus, he will have to pay more," Gupta said.

He said that as power rates had gone down to Rs 6.50 from Rs 7.30, the user will pay Rs 320.80 less. "But his total bill will increase by Rs 204.20. His gross bill will increase by about Rs 250, taking into consideration the cess and other charges," he added.

--IANS

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