Opposition BJP and the Congress attacked the AAP government over the hike in fixed charges announced by the DERC, saying it amounted to benefiting private partners in distribution companies.
Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari alleged that although the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has not shown any hike in the power tariff directly, but the increase in fixed charges will benefit private companies.
"Due to the changes made in fixed charges, the private companies will earn a monthly benefit of Rs 35 to Rs 40 crore," he said.
The very concept of levying of fixed charges by the distribution licensees is a "flawed concept" and it seems that the AAP dispensation is playing into the hands of the distribution companies, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken alleged.
Delhi's power regulator DERC today announced its tariff schedule for 2017-18, making no changes in energy charges but hiking fixed charges for consumers having 3-5 KW connections in the range of Rs 5-75.
Tiwari also attacked the government for not bringing down the power tariff.
"The Kejriwal government could have decreased the power tariff by 10 to 15 per cent by reducing the return on equity at the present bank rates, but they favoured the private power companies instead of giving relief to the people," he said.
Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, said that the new tariff schedule will put a "burden" on people.
Power is supplied in Delhi by three Discoms, including two BSES companies BYPL and BRPL, and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL).
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