Delhi power minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi on Monday claimed that Delhi residents who were getting zero electricity bill will continue to receive the same even if surcharge is increased. “I want to tell consumers of Delhi that the power bill will continue to remain zero even if the surcharge increases or decreases,” Atishi told reporters in the national capital. The AAP minister blamed the Central government for the surge in power tariffs in Delhi.
“If power tariffs are increasing in a city like Delhi then it’s only because of the Central government,” she added.
“Power purchase agreement cost (PPAC) is fixed for a term of 10 years but be it Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission or any other electricity regulation authority in the country, after every few months they assess the PPAC and allow power companies to increase or decrease the surcharge.” Atishi told reporters.
She claimed that tariffs were increasing in the country because of the Central government’s mismanagement which has caused an “artificial shortage” of coal in the country.
“In 75 years of India's history, for the first time there is an artificial shortage of coal in the country, that is why coal cost is increasing.”
She also alleged that the Centre has “forced” that anyone who buys coal will have to use 10 per cent imported coal which costs 10 times more than the domestic coal.
The Delhi power minister questioned the Central government asking what was its relationship with foreign coal exporters that it is forcing producers to buy coal and that too at such high prices.
"There is no shortage of coal in the country," she said, adding "despite that if there is a shortage in production then is it not an artificial shortage," she asked.