‘Despite 27cr debt, govt will keep power rates in check’

New Delhi: Power minister Ashish Sood said on Monday that BJP govt was fully committed to keep electricity prices under control in Delhi, even as AAP govt left a debt of Rs 27,000 crore on the people of Delhi in the form of regulatory assets.
Sood issued the statement after his speech in the assembly was interpreted as hinting at a rise in the power prices in the national capital.
Responding to a question by AAP MLA Imran Hussain in Delhi Assembly, Sood said in the assembly that discoms had the authority to increase rates to recover the debt. He claimed that during the previous govt's tenure, Delhi High Court had instructed Delhi Electricity Regulatpory Commission (DERC) to issue a tariff order, but the administration failed to protect public interests.
"The previous govt left a debt of Rs 27,000 crores of regulatory assets with the discoms through DERC. To recover this, the companies are authorised to increase the electricity rates. During the tenure of the previous govt, on the orders of the high court, DERC was ordered to bring tariff orders," Sood said.
The minister claimed, "That govt could not protect the interests of the public. In the coming time, electricity prices will rise, and perhaps some people even want this for their political gains. However, the current govt remains in touch with DERC and is closely monitoring the situation."
Later, speaking on the sidelines of the assembly session, Sood said Delhi govt won't let any additional burden fall on the people of Delhi regarding electricity prices. "Under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi and CM Rekha Gupta, BJP govt is fully committed to keeping electricity prices controlled in Delhi," he said.
AAP, however, said BJP was planning electricity tariff hike, while during AAP govt's 10-year tenure, Delhiites had access to uninterrupted 24x7 power with the cheapest tariff in the country.
"Power cuts, unheard of under AAP, have now become a routine in multiple areas of Delhi. Instead of fixing the crisis, BJP is planning to hike electricity tariff," said the party.
AAP demanded that BJP govt must continue to provide 24x7 electricity, roll back any planned tariff hikes, and stop making excuses for their failures. Delhi's people deserve reliable, affordable power, not BJP's incompetence and extortion tactics, it said.