DO THE DISCOMS HAVE THE RIGHT TO PLUNGE THE STREETS OF DELHI INTO DARKNESS - VIJAY GOEL

New Delhi, 26th March. BJP Delhi Pradesh President Vijay Goel has taken strong exception to the fact that roads of six key areas of North Delhi (Civil Lines, Pitampura, Keshavpuram, Vijay Nagar, Rohini and Wazirpur) faced a total blackout after Tata Power Ltd. disconnected power supply to street lights over the alleged non-payment of dues by North Delhi Municipal Corporation. This episode unveils the callous attitude of Delhi Government towards the people of Delhi. In this connection Shri Vijay Goel has raised the following questions:

1. Did the NDPL consult the Delhi Government before taking this step, Delhi Government being a 49% stake holder in discom?

2. The NDMC has been paying to the discoms at old rates and the dispute arose because the discom applied commercial rates for the supply of power to street lights. Did the NDPL file a recovery suite in a civil court before disconnecting power supply to the street lights? What is the ground for applying commercial rates for the supply of power to the street lights which is essentially for the public use? In this connection, it is worth mentioning that three types of charges are levied by the discoms: i. Domestic, ii. Industrial, iii. Non-domestic. NDPL is applying non-domestic charges to the street lights. Actually street lights are for the security and convenience of the public.  How can the Discoms levy commercial charges on the Municipal body which is providing basic amenities to the people?   It is illogical to apply commercial rates to basic services like street lighting. The non-domestic rate charged by the NDPL is at the rate of Rs. 7.25 per kw as per DERC orders dated 26^th June, 2012.

3. Did the NDPL take recourse to the process of invoking arbitration in this matter?

4. The discoms have not been able to pay the dues to NTPC. Has the NTPC stopped supply of power to the discoms?

5. Did not the discom get bailout package from the Delhi Government for paying their dues to the power producing companies? Why did not the discom seek the intervention of the State Government before causing such inconvenience to the public at large?

6. Do the discoms have the right to plunge the streets of Delhi into darkness?

On the contrary Shri Goel has pointed out that the discoms have also to pay property tax to the Municipal Corporations. He said that the Joint Assessor and Collector Property Tax has informed that the Municipal Corporations have raised demand on account of property tax from against the discoms which are as follows:

NDPL                                       20.27 crores

BSES (Rajdhani)                     03.46 crores

BYPL (Yamuna)                       02.88 crores

The remittance in this regard is still awaited.

There is report that every hour four snatchings take place in Delhi. Crime against women continues to be committed. If any untoward incident take place due to the darkness in the concerned areas then the Delhi Government will be responsible for it.  Chief Minister may not be able to hide behind the excuse that she is not the boss of Delhi Police.