Delhi's electricity to become costlier; AAP slams Centre | Watch
2 min read 26 Jun 2023, 03:12 PM ISTElectricity prices in Delhi will surge for residents who use more than 200 units, resulting in a political dispute between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
PremiumDelhi's electricity prices are set to surge for the city residents, resulting in a political tussle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Delhi residents, who will have monthly power usage above 200 units will have to pay from now onward due to the 8% hike in the power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC).
Following this regulation, AAP minister Atishi has slammed the Centre for making electricity costlier for the common man.
Atishi, who heads Delhi's power ministry told media, "I just want to tell the consumers that only the Centre is responsible for this hike. It has forced the use of imported coal, which is 10 times costlier than domestic coal. This is despite no lack of coal mines or availability of coal in the country".
What is PPAC?
The PPAC is revised every three months and it can increase or decrease depending on the prevailing prices of fuel such as coal and gas used in power generation.
What BJP saying?
Harish Khurana, the BJP's Delhi unit spokesperson has blamed for the electricity price hike on the "nexus" between the discus and the AAP government.
"The AAP is shamelessly claiming that the PPAC increases in the summer and decreases in the winter every year. The reality is that the PPAC was hiked from 16% to 22% last year and it has again been hiked," Khurana said.
AAP's response:
The prices of electricity have been increased because, due to the Centre's mismanagement, there is an artificial shortage of coal in the country for the first time in the last 70 years, shooting its prices (up)., AAP's Atishi said.
The Centre has "forced" coal buyers to purchase at least 10% imported coal, which costs 10 times more than Indian coal. Domestic coal is priced around ₹200 per tonne while the imported variety costs ₹25,000 a tonne, the Delhi power minister claimed.
What is the current electricity subsidy in Delhi?
The people of Delhi get free electricity on monthly consumption of 200 units. Those consuming 201-400 units get a 50% subsidy.
