Electricity Bills Surge in Delhi Following Revision of Power Purchase Adjustment Charge
The electricity bills for domestic consumers in Delhi have recently witnessed a notable surge of 6-8%. This increase comes as a result of the city’s discoms revising the power purchase adjustment charge (PPAC). Notably, while regular consumers have been affected, those receiving subsidies remain unaffected, according to officials.
Political Rivalry Erupts Over Delhi Government’s Alleged Collusion with Discoms
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of colluding with discoms in implementing this hike. In response, Atishi, Delhi’s power minister and AAP leader, vehemently refuted these claims, accusing the BJP of spreading misinformation.
According to officials, the revision in the PPAC, which depicts the cost of purchasing power, ranges from 6.75% to 8.75%. The increase is attributed to the rise in coal and fuel prices. This revision has been in effect since February and has become a contentious issue.
Hesitation in Response from Discoms Amidst Rising Controversy
Leading discoms, such as BSES’s BYPL and BRPL, TPDDL, and NDMC, have yet to comment on the recent surge in electricity bills. The silence observed from these companies is adding further fuel to the already fiery debate surrounding the issue.
However, Atishi clarified that, according to the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), the current PPAC rates will remain unchanged. This revision is also justified under the provisions stipulated in the Electricity Act 2003. The act permits discoms to adjust the PPAC by up to 10% in response to high power purchase costs.
Seasonal Variances in Power Procurements Impact the PPAC
Notably, in summer, the demand for power increases, which subsequently leads to a higher amount of power procurement from the Electricity Exchange. As a result, a higher PPAC tends to surface during this season. To mitigate these fluctuations, the Ministry of Power mandates state regulatory commissions to ensure the automatic passthrough of fuel and power procurement costs. However, Delhi follows a separate procedure–a verification and approval process conducted by DERC.
Rivalry Intensifies over Allegations of Unfair Practices, Higher Bills
Despite the clarifications and assurances, the leaders of the Delhi BJP section allege that the AAP government actively supports discoms in unfairly implementing the revised PPAC rate. They argue that this collusion leads to higher electricity bills for consumers. In particular, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva criticizes the Kejriwal government for failing to effectively plan the summer power supply.
On the other hand, Atishi counters these claims by highlighting that states ruled by the BJP experience higher electricity costs and frequent power outages. In contrast, under the Kejriwal administration, Delhi stands as an exception, providing uninterrupted and free electricity.
Amidst the consistent back and forth between the political factions, Delhi residents remain greatly concerned about the impact of the PPAC revision on their monthly electricity bills. As the debate continues, it is imperative for the relevant authorities to address these concerns and ensure transparency and fairness in the power tariff system.
