Why BJP-ruled states have higher power rates than Delhi, asks Arvinder Singh Lovely

NEW DELHI: With BJP promising to slash power tariff by 30 per cent if it comes to power in assembly polls, Delhi Government today wondered why the party has not implemented the 'rate cutting formula' in states ruled by it like Gujarat where the tariff was "much higher" than the city.

Accusing Delhi BJP of "misleading" people of the city on power tariff issue to gain "political mileage", Urban Development Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said power tariff in Delhi was "cheaper" than the BJP-ruled states and the bills have gone up due to round-the-clock supply of electricity.

Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel had announced that the electricity tariff would be slashed by 30 per cent if his party came to power in the assembly polls in Delhi slated for November.

"He (Goel) is talking about it (to slash rates) to get votes. If he really has such a formula to cut tariff by 30 per cent, then he should first give it to his party chief ministers. He should give it to Narendra Modi in Gujarat where electricity is costlier than Delhi. He should give the formula to Chhatisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan," Lovely told PTI.

The senior Minister in Sheila Dikshit Cabinet said the BJP leader's refusal to share the formula with Delhi Government showed that he was making false promises.

"I had asked the BJP on the floor of the house that if there is some formula, please give it to us as well. We will try to implement it. But they did not respond," said Lovely.

The Minister said power tariff in Delhi is much lower compared to rates in BJP-ruled states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The BJP and Aam Admi Party has been attacking the Delhi Government for rising power tariff and have given indication of making it a major issue in the run up to the assembly polls.

Lovely said consumers are receiving higher electricity bills due to round-the-clock power supply in the city.

"When you get round-the-clock power supply, definitely the bills will go up," he said.

Goel had alleged a "massive scam" in the power sector in Delhi and announced that the party will launch an agitation if Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) goes ahead with another tariff hike.