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Differential tariff policy for power?

Staff Reporter

Subsidised power for disadvantaged sections

NEW DELHI: Having compiled data on the profile of power consumers in Delhi, the Delhi Government is now considering bringing in a differential tariff policy for consumers as was practised in the days of the erstwhile Delhi Vidyut Board to provide subsidised power to the disadvantaged sections of society.

Following the compilation of data on the consumer profile, a note was forwarded to the Finance and Planning Department of Delhi Government by Principal Secretary (Power) to work out the feasibility of having a differential tariff policy. "Till the time of DVB, such a policy was in practice. However, in the past four years, the discoms have not adhered to it," said an official.

Stating that under the policy the development charges were waived for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and payment for the first 75 units was waived for widows, the official said even a Divisional Commissioner had recently written about the need to restore the policy and to investigate why it had been done away with.

As such a policy would help farmers, widows and backward sections of the society, the official said it would have a positive impact on the society. Also, as under the new Electricity Act, cross-subsidy is not allowed and like before industries cannot be charged and made to pay for lower income group consumers, the official said the policy provided for a valid alternative.

In view of the waiver of interest amounting to nearly Rs 800 crores on the Rs 3450 crores paid to subsidise the purchase of power through Delhi Transco, the official said, the Delhi Government had in a way subsidised the purchase of power for discoms this year too and therefore there appeared to be no rationale behind another tariff hike.

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