Representatives of several residential welfare associations (RWAs) and commercial associations Thursday accused the Delhi government of being hand-in-glove with private power companies in looting people of the city.
Highlighting the over 185 percent increase in power tariff in the past 10 years, the representatives said the government and the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) have failed to save Delhiites from the profit-hungry discoms.
"The DERC has increased power tariff to benefit discoms by over five percent in 2013-14. The hike in the past three years has been over 100 percent," said Saurabh Gandhi, representing the north Delhi RWAs.
Patparganj Industrial Area Association general secretary S.K. Maheshwari agreed and added that the government's policy would ultimately kill industries in the city.
"The bills are too high and, therefore, many industrial units are on the verge of shutting down. Per unit electricity is between Rs.7 and 8. How can we compete with anybody when we can't afford to install new machines fearing high bills," asked Maheshwari.
The associations said they would be taking part in the Aug 11 rally, organised by the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party at Ramlila Maidan, to protest corruption in the power sector.