CM Sheila Dikshit safeguarding discoms interests: RWAs

NEW DELHI: The 26% hike in power tariff has been strongly opposed by resident welfare associations (RWAs) across the city, with some demanding the chief minister's resignation. RWAs have threatened to stop paying their electricity bills and even burn effigies of CM Sheila Dikshit.
"It is wrong for the CM to encourage a proposal that supports private companies, but hits the common man.It seems the CM has become a mute spectator to the residents' problems, and is more interested in protecting the interests of the discoms than those of the residents," said Anil Bajpai, president of east Delhi RWA federation.
RWAs are miffed as there is an increase in fixed charges with an additional 8% surcharge. "This is ridiculous as nobody is thinking about domestic consumption. Earlier, the fixed charges were Rs 15-20 per kilowatt every month, which have shot up to Rs 75-100 per kilowatt a month. The jump in fixed charges is shocking," said Rajiv Kakaria, Greater Kailash-II RWA member.
"The discoms claim they are running in losses and that justifies the new scheme. However, the audit reports tell a different story," he added.
"There is confusion over the audit reports and we cannot proceed further till it is cleared. Besides, what is the guarantee that these reports are above board. The reports should be in the public domain. The services by discoms are also not up to the mark. The hike in charges should match the quality of services," said N K Vaid, secretary general, Vasant Kunj Federation.