Coal import cost will further fuel power rates in Delhi: BJP

New Delhi, June 23: The BJP's Delhi unit on June 22 criticised the Centre's decision to pass on coal import cost on consumers, saying that the move will fuel a 10-15 per cent hike in power tariffs in the city.

"This step would allow the power generators to pass on the hike in power tariff to common people raising the electricity rates by at least 10-15 per cent," Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel said.

"The Congress government in Delhi and its leaders at the Centre are hand in glove when it comes to raising power tariff. If that is not the case, why didn't the Delhi government oppose this move by the Union Finance Ministry? After all the Finance Minister is a senior member of the Congress party," he said.

Goel alleged that the latest move by the Congress-led UPA government, evidently backed by the Delhi government, is actually the outcome of the Coal scam.

"The coal production within the country has taken a back seat as the Congress ministers were too busy in doling out favours," he claimed.

The fall in domestic coal production has resulted in power generation companies seeking imports of coal and now, this additional cost is being passed on to the consumers for no fault of theirs.

"Ironically, the common man is being ignored. Delhi residents are witness to this sad saga of neglect and corruption as over the last couple of years, the power tariff has almost doubled," he said.

Goel said the BJP will soon launch a city-wide agitation which will start with a rally at Ramlila Maidan in August. Meanwhile, the party on Saturday dispatched two trucks carrying relief material to Uttarakhand. The trucks were flagged off by Goel at Delhi Pradesh BJP office at Pandit Pant Marg.

"The need of the hour is to help thousands of those who have lost their friends, family members, houses and all that they had. There are thousands who are stranded in Uttarakhand in adverse circumstances. The Delhi BJP will be sending more relief material in days to come," he said.

Goel also informed that the Delhi BJP has set up an Uttarakhand Relief Centre at its office. "If anybody needs help, he/she may contact at BJP Delhi Helpline number: 011-23712323, 23712744 and 23712509," he said.

PTI