Congress takes credit for roll back of Delhi's power tariff hike

NEW DELHI: Congress today claimed credit for Delhi's power regulator DERC's decision to withdraw the tariff hike of up to seven per cent, a day after announcing the increase.

Accusing the BJP of reneging on its poll promises, DPCC Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely alleged that the ruling party at the Centre had "forced" the regulator to raise prices under pressure from corporate groups.

"After Congress threatened to launch widespread protests under which its leader Mukhesh Sharma sat on an indefinite fast, BJP had to relent and once again force the DERC to rollback the hike in prices," Lovely said during a press conference.

Congress leader Haroon Yusuf said the reversal was "unprecedented" in the history of Delhi.

"The way the order was reversed overnight is unprecedented in the history of Delhi and it's clear that it was done keeping elections in mind," Yusuf said.

Senior Congress leader Mukesh Sharma had begun an indefinite fast this morning demanding roll back of the power tariff hike. He refused to end the fast even after DERC announced its withdrawal, demanding a written assurance from Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and DERC that tariff will not be hiked again.

Asking the people of Delhi to not play into BJP's hands, Lovely warned that prices would be hiked once again if BJP manages to come to power.

"This is merely an eyewash keeping polls in mind as they are going to increase prices should they come into power by mistake," he said.

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission today withdrew the power tariff hike which was announced last night.

The regulator said the hike was rolled back "realising" that a number of power generation companies including NTPC, which supply electricity to the city, provided only part information about price of fuel such as coal and gas.

Congress also questioned BJP's claim of bringing down inflation and AAP's silence on the issue saying that prices of vegetables and pulses continue to be high and the "aam admi" is feeling the pinch.

"The so-called reduction in inflation is a complete hoax as prices of vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes as well as pulses continue to be high," the DPCC President said adding that the "truth" of inflation should come out.