Certain areas of the national Capital have started experiencing scheduled and unscheduled power cut much to the chagrin of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday claimed that the three power distribution companies are doing it deliberately after he issued orders to audit the accounts and finances of these companies.
The Chief Minister has sought details and data from three discoms on the maintenance schedules across the city. Kejriwal categorically said discoms will be penalised if their reasons for unscheduled power cuts are found unsatisfactory,
He said that discoms has directed to provide data of total power that they get from the national grid and reasons behind scheduled and unscheduled power cuts across the city.
The Government is also planning to set up a helpline to address power cuts and other power related problems. As per power department, the availability of power is 5,200-5,300 mega watts while demand is between 3,700-
3,800 megawatt.
This is left the Government fuming as the power cuts are taking place on regular basis despite the discoms having surplus power.Addressing a Press conference, Kejriwal on Thursday said that he has information that discoms have resorted to power cuts due to audit orders by his Government and it is very much deliberate.
The issue was discussed by power department officials to know the reasons behind several areas in the city facing frequent power cuts. The discoms have been told to provide data of scheduled power cut and unscheduled power cuts.
The Chief Minister made it clear that explanation has been sought from three discoms and if the companies fail to satisfy the Government, action would be taken against them. The details of discoms would be sent to Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) for their failure to provide power to people of Delhi. It also stated that areas in West and North-East Delhi have been the worst affected.
In some parts of the Walled City, power cuts are four to five hours daily while several areas of the North-East witnessed two to three hours of power cuts daily. The areas which witnessed scheduled and unscheduled power cut include Yamuna Vihar, Uttam Nagar, Model Town, Vikaspuri, Tilak Nagar, Mehrauli, Malviya Nagar, Khirki Extension, Munirka, RK Puram, Bijwasan, several sectors of Dwarka, Palam village, laxmi Nagar, Bhajanpura, Gokulpuri, Mandawali, Seelampur, Okhla, Mustafabad, Jafrabad, Kashmere Gate, Mori Gate, Gulabi Bagh and Civil lines areas.
Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh lovely on Wednesday threatened to go on a citywide agitation if the AAP Government does not take steps to improve power supply. Responding to the letter, Kejriwal on Thursday wrote back to lovely saying that discoms are deliberately doing it and it is a serious matter.