At a time when city dwellers are reaping benefits from the Delhi Government’s 50 per cent power subsidy, the
Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), on the other hand, is all set to hold public hearing for discussing revision of power tariffs in the Capital next month.
The power regulator on Tuesday issued a public notice seeking objections and suggestions on the tariff petitions submitted by the three distribution companies.
The three power distribution companies — BSES Rajdhani Power limited (BRPl), BSES Yamuna Power limited and Tata Power Delhi Distribution limited (TPDDl) — had submitted their petitions in January for an increase in power tariff to be applicable from this year.
In their petitions the three discoms have sought a power tariff hike between 10 per cent and 19 per cent. Reliance-owned BYPl, which is also a major defaulter in repaying dues to State-owned transmission and generation companies, has sought a maximum hike of 19 per cent while the BRPl has demanded 16 per cent.
Tata-owned TPDDl has cited a 10 per cent increase. This apart, two petitions on power purchase adjustment charges (PPAC) are pending with the regulatory body. Discoms haven’t got fuel surcharge since last November, and this they claimed had worsened their already precarious financial situation.
For over a month now, the DERC has been reviewing petitions submitted by the three discoms for the financial year 2015-16. The revised power tariffs are likely to be announced in June.
“People can give their objections and suggestions till April 7. After 10 to 15 days from then, we shall hold public hearings for the same. Once the public hearing is completed, the DERC will again analyse every aspect. An announcement can be expected in around three months from now,” said PD Sudhakar, chairperson, DERC.
Officials in the power regulator said the commission had already started receiving responses from the public.
According to sources, the month-old AAP Government has been keeping a close eye on the expected tariff structure since it has been demanding a hold on tariff revisions until the CAG audit of the discoms is over. This year, the discoms have again demanded a waiver of their green energy dues.