No tariff hike till audit of discoms is completed, demands BJP

BJP today urged Lieutenant Governor of Delhi not to allow increase in power tariff or surcharge until the CAG audit of power distribution companies is completed and the report submitted to the government.
"Power companies are recovering Rs. 273.11 extra every 30 days from a power consumer who consumes only 184 units of power in a month. These companies are looting the consumers with both hands and even after this they are demanding hike in power tariff," Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan said.
He said that previously the companies used to serve bill for the period of 60 days, adding that the consumer then had to pay fixed charge, PPAC charge, surcharge, electricity tax, late payment charge etc. Once in 60 days.

"Firstly, the companies started serving bills for a period of 45 days and now with the connivance of the Government and DERC, bills for power consumption are being served for every 30 days.
"This way, a consumer, who used to pay additional charges like fixed charge, late payment fee etc. For a period of 60 days has now been compelled to pay such charges every 30 days. This is injustice with the consumers of Delhi," the BJP leader said.
The Delhi BJP president also said that at the time of privatisation, the power theft in Delhi was 53 per cent, which has come down to 13 to 15 per cent .

"The companies earned Rs 300 crore annually on preventing 1 per cent power theft. There was the provision in the privatisation agreement that this benefit will be shared with consumers. But the consumers have not been provided any benefit The power tariff should be decreased and not hiked," he said.