Terming the 6 per cent hike in electricity tariff by Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) as ‘unfair burden’ on Delhi consumers, Consumer Online Foundation, an NGO focussing on consumer rights, has questioned the timing of the hike and demanded its immediate rollback.Speaking on behalf of the consumers, Board member S Krishnan and founder of the consumer online foundation Bejon Mishra said that the hike in the electricity charges due to Power Purchase Adjustment Charges (PPAC) has been done without taking into account other factors which have a bearing on the basic power purchase cost.
Krishnan added, “this step is highly demoralising and may even set off widespread agitation among Delhiites.” They emphasised that people of Delhi as well the Delhi Government had the idea that the electricity tariff was going up steeply, resulting in Government announcing subsidies for the low income group at heavy cost to the exchequer.
It was also pointed out that there has also been a clamour for the Audit of the power distribution companies by CAG both by the Government and the public to ensure the authenticity and regularity of the various figures furnished by the discoms to the DERC on the basis of which the tariff is determined by them.
The Chief Information Commissioner had also urged the Chairman DERC to make available all relevant information relating to tariff determination transparently to all stakeholders. Consumer Online Foundation had sent several emails to the Chairman DERC requesting information on many relevant points, but did not receive any response.
The rates, however, announcing hike in electricity are to be made payable by Delhi consumers in effect from June 15, 2015 at a time when main tariff proposal is under consideration. Therefore, there is an urgent need in the public interest to stay the implementation of PPAC orders issued by DERC, the foundation said.