Get ready for massive power tariff hike in Delhi after lok Sabha polls on April 10. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has given nod to Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) that it can start process of power tariff hike but it can only be implemented after the poll is over in Delhi. This means DERC may announce power tariff any time after polls in Delhi. The ECI’s response came in the wake of DERC request to start the process of power tariff hike.
“The Commission has no objection to the continuance of the process required for the decision on the power tariff. However, tariff award should be made only on the completion of poll in the relevant State (this means after the poll date in that State),” the ECI said, in its letter dated March 29 to Chief Electoral Office of Delhi. Sources in the DERC said that the Commission has started process of power tariff hike after getting green signal from the ECI.
Power distribution companies (discoms) and New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) have submitted that they are unable to supply power at the present rate as the cost of power purchase from National Grid and other States has risen substantially. The new power tariff is expected to come into effect on June 1.
In a letter to the chief electoral officer of Delhi, the DERC had said that it needs at least 30 days from the date of issue of public notice to complete the exercise of tariff hike. “In order to complete the process of tariff determination, the DERC is required to invite comments/objections/suggestions from all stakeholders and public at large through a public notice, thereby giving opportunities to all stakeholders to submit their views. The Commission considers all such suggestions/comments/objections received either in writing or during the public hearing before finalising the tariff,” the DERC said in its letter.