BJP accuses govt of ‘surreptitiously’ increasing power tariff, AAP hits back

New Delhi, July 10

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and senior BJP leader Arvinder Singh Lovely accused the Kejriwal government of allowing electricity companies to extort hefty amounts from city’s citizens through inflated power bills.

During a press conference on Wednesday, the BJP leaders claimed that the Delhi Government-backed discoms (distribution companies) have increased the Power Purchase Adjustment Cost (PPAC) without proper regulatory approval, leading to a significant rise in electricity costs for consumers.

The Delhi Govt and discoms have colluded to increase PPAC by 8.75% resulting in higher electricity bills for the consumers. — Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi BJP chief

States governed by the BJP have highest electricity costs and frequent power outages, while Delhi ensures 24×7 electricity at the lowest rates. — Atishi, AAP minister

“The Delhi Government and discoms colluded to increase PPAC by 8.75 per cent, resulting in higher electricity bills for consumers,” said Sachdeva.

He emphasised that if the government had purchased electricity in advance from the power grid before April, the prices would not have risen. “However, the Kejriwal Government was busy with politics when it was time to make a summer power supply plan,” he added.

The BJP leaders highlighted that the PPAC increase was implemented without approval from the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). “Atishi should answer how power discoms increased PPAC without approval,” Sachdeva demanded.

Lovely pointed out that the delay in appointing a DERC member due to the Chief Minister being in jail has allowed electricity companies to act at will. “Despite promises, electricity companies have not been audited in the past 10 years under the Kejriwal government,” Lovely stated.

“This is the Kejriwal government’s strategy — they don’t increase the per-unit rate but raise charges like PPAC and meter load to collect money,” he added.

Meanwhile, Power Minister Atishi on Wednesday criticised the BJP for spreading false rumours regarding a rise in electricity prices in the Capital.

Atishi said states governed by the BJP have some of the highest electricity costs and frequent power outages, while Delhi ensures 24×7 electricity at the lowest rates.

Addressing the allegations, Atishi pointed to the DERC’s recent order, stating that the current PPAC will remain unchanged. “The DERC order clearly mentions that the current PPAC will remain the same and no additional charges will be imposed,” she said.

Atishi said the Electricity Act of 2003 allows discoms to increase the PPAC by up to 10 per cent during the summer months to cope with increased demand, a provision that has existed since the Act’s inception.

She added, “The BJP is misleading the people of Delhi by spreading rumours that electricity prices have been increased in Delhi through the PPAC. Wherever BJP is in power, those states provide the most expensive electricity in the country.”

Atishi highlighted the power situation in BJP-ruled states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. “Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana, as well as Noida and Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, have been facing eight-hour-long power cuts this summer,” she added.