There is nexus between Delhi govt and private power companies: Arvind

There is a strong nexus between Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi government and private power distribution companies and this nexus is responsible for huge hike in power tariff, alleged Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Friday.

In a press conference here, social activist-turned-politician Kejriwal alleged that Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chairman P.D. Sudhakar was acting as an agent of electricity companies.

He said the power tariff should have been half of what it is presently, and that power firms earned profits amounting to Rs.3,577 crore.

Kejriwal said that the logic of loss behind the hike in power tariff is absolutely wrong as the power distribution companies operating in the state are earning huge profits. He displayed some documents to prove his point.

"Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has found that power firms earned profits of Rs.3577 crores and not loss of Rs.635 crores as was being projected to increase tariff. The Commission had issued an order to reduce prices, and according to the DERC order power tariff should be half of what it is now," said Kejriwal.

"Power distribution costs had reduced but prices were still high in the national capital," he added.

Accusing DERC chairman P. D. Sudhakar of favouring industrialist Anil Ambani, Kejriwal alleged that he (Sudhakar) is working as an 'agent' of electricity companies.

"How come all circles of Anil Ambani 's power company in Delhi suddenly went into loss when Sudhakar took over charge as DERC chairman," asked Kejriwal.

The Aam Aadmi Party founder also said that when former DERC chairman Brijendra Singh tried to reduce tariff, electricity companies "went running" to the Delhi government in 2010.

"Sheila Dikshit ordered that the power tariff should not be lowered," he said about the Delhi chief minister.

Threatening to launch a massive agitation against the power tariff hike, he announced that the Aam Admi Party will meet people in all 51 assembly areas in the state and request them to not pay the electricity bills if the government doesn't reduce the price.