The Hindu : New Delhi News : Some relief soon for the Capital?

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Sunday, Sep 02, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Some relief soon for the Capital?

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

Sheila hints at possible cut in power charges and cheaper power for the poor

NEW DELHI: Hinting at a possible reduction in power charges for the Capital’s citizens, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said on Saturday that transmission and distribution losses had come down from 52 per cent to 23 per cent now and in case they fall further her Government might consider passing on the benefit to the consumers.

Ms. Dikshit, who was speaking at a “Bhagidari” workshop on civic issues, made a mention of the power tariffs while discussing public participation in various development activities and how that had helped in bringing down losses in various sectors and facilitated planned development of the city. She also spoke about the poor being provided power at cheaper rates within the next few months.

The move to bring down power tariffs has been a major area of discussion in Government circles here of late. Realising full well that many consumers were feeling ``cheated” at the hands of the Capital’s private power distribution companies due to installation of “fast-running” electronic meters and consequent increase in their monthly power bills, a view had been gaining ground that the Congress, going into the election year, should try and bring down power tariffs to provide relief to the people.

``The power bills of many have almost doubled ever since the discoms took over. Whether it was because of the slow running of mechanical meters or the fast running of electronic meters, people have been feeling the pinch. It is therefore in the best interest of the party if it goes for a downward revision of rates at this juncture,” said a senior party leader.

And so for the many Congress leaders who have not heard any ``good news” for months, even the mention of a possible reduction in power tariffs is sheer music. The timing of Ms. Dikshit’s statement is also crucial as the party is having a tough time dealing with issues relating to unauthorised colonies, transport, water and power. Since any reduction in power tariffs would benefit the people at the lower end of the economic strata, it would also give the party an issue to go to the people while seeking votes.

During the day, Ms. Dikshit also gave ample evidence of more sops coming the way of the citizens when she announced that poor families would soon get electricity at cheaper rates. She said an action plan was being prepared and it would be implemented within the next two to three months. This would provide further relief to poor families, she added.

The Chief Minister also said the Union Urban Development Minister had assured her that all issues pertaining to unauthorised colonies in Delhi would be resolved within the next few days and this would facilitate provision of all necessary basic amenities in these colonies which are home to over 40 lakh people.

Contending that people living in the unauthorised colonies are also entitled to better living conditions, Ms. Dikshit said the courts would also be approached to take a sympathetic view of the issue as providing basic amenities to a large number of people was important.

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