Public hearings on power tariff hike begin on a strong note

In stark contrast to previous years,where participation from civil society was very low,the hearings saw a significantly higher turnout this time.

Apart from higher tariffs for the financial year 2011-12 sought by discoms BSES Rajdhani,BSES Yamuna and NDPL,the private licensees have also asked for additional hikes for dues owed to them in previous years.

In petitions filed in 2008-9,the three discoms claimed combined losses of Rs 1,645.06 crore. Some discoms have demanded a tariff hike of up to 80 per cent.

Though the issue is complicated,the associations presented arguments based on technical and legal grounds.

S K Sood,speaking on behalf of Residents Welfare Associations,pointed out that these hearings were actually designed to negate public participation.

“Under the Electricity Act,it is the responsibility of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission to ensure transparency in these proceedings. They must make sure that the replies filed to our complaints are brought across in language that is easy to understand. Otherwise,the discoms can just hide behind a thousand technicalities and legalities,” he argued.

Activist Hemanta Sharma claimed to have found major irregularities in the petitions submitted by the discoms to show their losses.

All three discoms have decided to withhold their comments till after the hearings,which finish on July 7.