Sheila Dikshit mocks BJP over poll promise to cut power tariff

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posted on 11 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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New Delhi: Accusing the BJP of trying to "mislead" people to win the assembly polls, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday said the party's promise of slashing electricity rates by 30 per cent if voted to power was not possible unless they cut the supply by equal percentage.

"The BJP was misleading the citizens to grab power. They are making unbelievable promises. Yes, they will be able to cut tariff by 30 per cent if they cut 30 per cent supply," Dikshit said. The BJP, which has been attacking the government on power tariff issue, has promised to cut the rates by 30 per cent if it is voted to power in the assembly polls slated for November.

The power tariff in the city was hiked by 22 per cent in 2011 followed by five per cent hike in February last year. The tariff was hiked by up to two per cent in May last year and again by 26 per cent for domestic consumers in July last year. The tariff was hiked by up to three per cent in February and again by five per cent in July.

The Chief Minister said the power tariff in Delhi is much cheaper as compared to other metropolitan cities. She was speaking after commissioning a 66 kV grid substation at Rohini Sector-28. The grid substation set up by Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL) at a cost of Rs 15.5 crore will improve power supply to over one lakh consumer in the Rohini and Prahladpur.

"The demand for electricity in Delhi is growing with each passing year. Commissioning of the new 66kV Rohini 28 Grid Substation will go a long way in ensuring reliable power supply in Rohini and surrounding areas. The efforts put in by TPDDL towards quality power supply and consumer services in North and North West Delhi are commendable," Dikshit said.

Speaking on the occasion, TPDDL CEO Praveer Sinha said the company has been focusing on strengthening its network for customer convenience. "We are committed to make our network as robust as possible so that it can meet any eventualities. This remote operated Grid Substation will lead to better reliability of supply. Our consumers can look forward to many more such initiatives of network augmentation in the days to come," he said.