‘DERC order to cut tariff does not exist’

The Delhi government on Monday termed as 'baseless' reports that Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission's former chairman Vijender Singh had notified a tariff order reducing power tariffs in Delhi but it was not enforced.

The Delhi government on Monday termed as 'baseless' reports that Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission's former chairman Vijender Singh had notified a tariff order reducing power tariffs in Delhi but it was not enforced.

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The government said no such tariff order existed and so the question of blocking it and not enforcing it did not arise. Chief secretary PK Tripathi said, "Allegations have been made that though the then chairman, DERC, had notified a tariff order reducing power tariffs in Delhi, this was not enforced. Such allegations are totally baseless."

"The allegations were based on a note of the then chairman, DERC, dated June 30, 2010. The high court in its judgment in May, 2011 ruled that no such tariff order had been issued. The fact is that this issue has already been settled by the high court," the chief secretary said.

Meanwhile, protesting against the hike in power tariff, the Delhi BJP on Monday burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and held demonstrations in Bawana. Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta said a party delegation would meet the DCP to demand an expeditious probe into the "conspiracy" to hike power tariff on October 17.

"If the action to investigate the case and punish the guilty was not initiated, then BJP would stage strong demonstrations at the Delhi Police Headquarters," he said.

The government threatens those who raise a voice against them, Gupta said.