The Hindu : New Delhi News : `DERC anti-consumer'

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Friday, May 26, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

`DERC anti-consumer'

Staff Reporter

RWAs boycott public hearing by DERC as a mark of protest

NEW DELHI: Terming the attitude of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) as "anti-consumer" and pro-private distribution companies, the Delhi Residents' Welfare Associations Joint Front has boycotted the public hearing being held by the regulatory body as a mark of protest.

Stating that the entire public hearing was a `drama', RWA Joint Front secretary Pankaj Aggarwal said it was unfortunate that DERC, which has been set up to protect the interests of the consumers, was acting in a manner not befitting its mandate. He said though the Front had three weeks ago sought permission that 18 of its representatives be given an opportunity to file objections on the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) reports filed by the private distribution companies, DERC secretary Sumit Gupta had stated that the Commission does not call the public until they submit their detailed objections.

The Joint Front objected to this and was told that only one of its representatives would be allowed to file the objections in full audience of DERC. This was not acceptable to the Front. Then on Thursday, a communication was received from DERC stating that it was prepared to allow representatives of the Front but they will have to appear before 6 p.m. today, the last day of public hearing by DERC.

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