Existing power tariff to continue till DERC decision on pleas

New Delhi, Aug 13 (UNI) Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today said a decision to hike the power tariff in the capital will be taken only after the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) reviews the petitions filed by the distribution licensees, pleading for an increase in tariff to meet costs.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Shinde said till then, the existing tariff structure will continue in Delhi.

He said for deciding the tariff orders for 2007-8, the DERC has given the licensees 90 days' time to file their petitions under the Multi-year Tariff Regulations.

BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd had filed pleas before the DERC for an interim hike in tariff on the ground that they were facing high power purchase cost.

On whether the Governnment would ensure uninterrupted power supply, he said the State Electricity Regulatory Commission will enforce standards with respect to quality, continuity and reliability of service by licensees.

He said the Delhi Government had set up a Delhi Power Procurement Group for buying power for Delhi. The Group had already entered into power purchase agreements even at high rates ranging from Rs 5 to 7 per unit so as to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

In cases of short supply, load shedding took places first in those areas where Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses were high, he said.

UNI