The final day of the public hearing for power tariff revision held by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) ended on a bitter note on Tuesday. While RWAs were left dissatisfied as their demand for reaching a comprehensive conclusion of the two-day hearing was not complied by the regulatory body. The DERC on the other hand, maintained that all the points raised by the domestic consumers will be answered.
Besides, many asserted that imposing surcharge on power tariff is illegal and also requested that there should be one tariff without any classification. A major section of the consumers expressed their strong disapproval over the refusal of Discoms to come under the scanner through RTI or CAG audit. The demand to raise the first tariff slab from 0-200 units to 0-400 units continued even on the second day of the hearing.
Many raised their doubts on the reason for hike in power tariffs. "Power theft cases in 2002 were 60 percent. Now, power thefts with transmission and distribution losses have come down substantially, there is actually no reason for increasing power cost.
The DERC is biased towards Discoms and does not want to serve the interest of the public. It is merely trying to squeeze out money from the common man for reasons best known to them," said Anil Sood of NGO Chetna.
Another resident said untrained technicians were being provided by the companies after lodging a complaint.
"The companies should ensure that the electricians that are sent to households for complaint redressal are trained. In my case, they just take money and do nothing to solve the problem. Moreover, there is no proper planning between the different agencies of the Government. A construction company makes a road and after just 15 days the power utility starts digging up the same road to lay cables," said Sujit Sharma, a resident of Dwarka.
"We are feeling as if we are like criminals. The DERC has played a divide and rule policy. All our experts were not allowed to enter and a few were manhandled also. They have deployed so many guards around us, giving us a step-motherly treatment," said Saurav Gandhi, a RWA member.