Delhi Electricity Rates To Rise, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood Blames Rs 27,000 Crore Debt Under Kejriwal

Delhi Power Minister Ahish Sood on Monday suggested that the Union Territory may increase the rates of electricity, blaming it on a whopping debt of 27,000 crore rupees on the government left by the previous government. The debt was left with power distribution companies (Discoms) through the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).

Sood was responding to a query raised by AAP MLA Imran Hussain in the Assembly about whether the Delhi government is planning to raise the price. Sood said that power distribution companies (Discoms) have the authority to adjust tariffs to recover pending dues.

He further said that during the previous government, the Delhi High Court had directed DERC to issue a tariff order, yet the administration did not do the same neglecting the public interest. He added that some individuals might benefit from a price hike. 

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"The previous government has left a debt of Rs 27 thousand 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 government, on the orders of the High Court, DERC was ordered to bring tariff orders," he said. 

The Minister said that the prices would rise while the government was working with DERC to monitor updates.  "That government 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 government remains in touch with DERC and is closely monitoring the situation," Sood added.

Atishi Slammed Government For Not Fulfilling Rs 2500 Promise

The former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Atishi on Monday slammed the BJP-led government for failing to provide the promised monthly assistance of 2500 rupees to Delhi women, expressing hope that the government would not betray the people of Delhi in the coming budget. 

Speaking to ANI, the Leader of the Opposition said, "The BJP made a lot of promises before the elections. We hope that those promises are fulfilled in this budget session. The first and most important promise was that Delhi's women would receive Rs 2,500 on March 8. Till today, even the registration of that scheme has not started. It is clear that PM Modi lied and betrayed the people of Delhi."

"We hope the people of Delhi are not betrayed in this budget," she asserted

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The budget session of the Delhi assembly began today which is scheduled to conclude on March 28, with provisions for extension. The Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta prepared a ceremonial ‘kheer’ to mark the commencement of the inaugural budget session of the newly elected government.