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Charging up a poll battle

Delhi BJP promises to transform power billing in its poll manifesto; a closer look reveals a more complex issue.

Electricity rates have become a political issue in the run-up to the elections in Delhi, with the Opposition focus on it, in the hope this would lead to the rout of the Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government.

The previous increase was in July, when rates were raised by five per cent. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused her of "conniving" with electricity distributing companies (discoms). Yet, the Delhi government has maintained the rates here are as cheap as it gets. (POWER POLITICS)

BJP formula
The BJP says it has a "10-point formula", which the party claims will reduce power prices in Delhi by 30 per cent. The party has, however, not stated any time frame for this.

The strategy includes bringing "transparency" in the working of the discoms, by ordering a study by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, curtailing "unnecessary" power purchases that will lead to reduction of Rs 2 a unit, more autonomy to the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) by appointing "competent" people, controlling power thefts and conducting an energy audit. However, the BJP's primary argument is that discoms in Delhi have "monopolised" power. And, the solution is introducing open-access.

The system of open-access allows customers to make a choice among different discoms. It was a primary objective of the Electricity Act, 2003, which had envisaged open-access as a system to introduce competition in the sector. Although the facilitative framework was created by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, started the system at the inter-state level, no state has provided the option to ordinary customers.

On ground
At present, this is only available in Mumbai, where customers can choose between Reliance Infra and Tata Power. Here, unlike in Delhi, the power rates between the two discoms significantly vary. According to data from the Central Electricity Authority, for the first 200 units, while Tata Power supplies at Rs 2.48 a unit, Reliance Energy is charging Rs 5.34. A study by Prayaas Energy Group, a Pune-based body, says until June 2011, about 160,000 customers (including 83,000 domestic ones) migrated from Reliance to Tata.

Can open-access work in Delhi, too? According to P D Sudhakar, chairman of DERC, this is unlikely. "The Tatas are able to sell cheaper power in Mumbai because they have their power generating plant, which ensures an advantage," he says. He says open-access is available in Delhi for bulk customers (1 Mw and above) but most customers have not migrated.

Debasish Mishra, senior director at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, also doubts whether open-access will lead to any significant reduction in prices. "Power tariffs (rates) can be reduced by bringing down power purchase cost and making efficiency gains through reduction in distribution losses," says Mishra.

The cost of power generation has been rising in the country. Companies argue the cost of generation has followed the curve along the rise in prices of coal and gas. In Delhi, 90 per cent of the power is sourced through thermal power stations. Of the thermal stations, 68 per cent are coal-based and the rest are gas-fired.

Purchase
Another key part of the BJP's professed strategy is "curtailing unnecessary purchase of power", to lead to a reduction in price by Rs 2 a unit. The party says "power companies buy electricity more than the requirement of Delhi. As a result, customers pay an additional Rs 2 per unit".

The Delhi government retorts that more power is bought to meet peak demand. An inter-city comparison by Prayaas Energy Group shows this demand in Delhi is much more than in any other city. Delhi's peak demand is around 5,000 Mw, about 57 per cent more than Mumbai's, the second highest. Further, Delhi has a non-uniform demand, with large variations between peak and minimum demand.

Shakti Sinha, a former power secretary to the Delhi government, doubts whether the BJP will be able to cut on the amount of power purchase. "Since Delhi has unique power peaks, the government is forced to buy extra power. If you don't do that, then load shedding will occur. Power companies don't supply at will; extra power is, therefore, needed," he said.

Comparisons
An analysis of the March 2013 report of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for the first 200 units of domestic power consumed shows power rates in Delhi are neither too cheap nor very expensive. Mumbai (Tata Power), Chennai and Ahmedabad have lower rates. However, Delhi supplies cheaper power than its neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan. The analysis, however, does not take into account the individual subsidies that states provide.

At present, Delhi has five power discoms. In 2002, the Delhi Vidyut Board was unbundled by the government, citing mounting losses. Private companies were provided licences to distribute power. The northern and north-western parts are supplied by Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), a joint venture between Tata Power and the government of Delhi, with the former holding 51 per cent. The rest of the capital, excluding the New Delhi Municipal Council areas and those in the Delhi Cantonment, are supplied by BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd.

BSES is owned by the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.

According to the Delhi Economic Survey (2013-14), since private discoms were introduced in 2002, the transmission and distribution losses have been brought down from 60 per cent then to 17 per cent now. The fall has come even as consumption has increased from around 20,000 units to 25,300 units.

However, a comparison with other metropolitan cities shows the Delhi discoms can be more efficient. They're less efficient than in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Comparing the March 2012 rates with those of March 2013 reveals prices have increased by 24 per cent in Delhi. In the same period, those in Tripura rose 91 per cent, in Maharashtra by 52 per cent, in West Bengal by 35 per cent and in Kerala by 34 per cent. However, the increase was much less in Mumbai (Tata Power), Gujarat, Bangalore and Kolkata.

On the other hand, rates decreased in Tamil Nadu (five per cent), Ahmedabad (2.2 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (0.95 per cent) during the period.



POWER POLITICS
BJP'S FORMULA/STATUS

Introduce the system of open access, which allows customers to have a choice among discoms

  • At present, open access is available only in Mumbai
  • Implementation of open access will not be instant, as issues such as wheeling charges, switchover surcharge and cross-subsidy will need to be sorted

Order CAG audit of discoms
  • At present, CAG doesn't audit private discoms
  • Delhi High Court is hearing a petition to allow the CAG to audit discoms. In court, Derc has supported the need for CAG's audit

Curtailing unnecessary purchase of power
  • Of all the metropolises, Delhi is the biggest buyer of power. The government argues not doing so will lead to scheduled power cuts

Appointing 'competent people' on Derc
  • The BJP has not defined "competent people". At present, Derc has a retired bureaucrat as its chairman, and two members who are experienced engineers

Discoms to be brought under RTI Act
  • Delhi High Court is also hearing a petition on bringing private discoms under RTI. Derc also wants Discoms under RTI

Power purchase agreements to be made public
  • Power purchase agreements signed between power generators and discoms are not available in public domain

Providing separate neutral line to each customer
  • Derc has written to discoms to ensure each meter has a separate neutral line. Consumers have complained to Derc that in houses with common neutral lines, meter readings were not correct


with thanks : Business Standard : LINK

सोशल मीडिया पर आरडब्ल्यूए ने भी चलाया अभियान : Amar Ujala

नई दिल्ली (ब्यूरो)। दिल्ली चुनाव में सही उम्मीदवार चुनने और पसंद नहीं आने पर राइट टू रिजेक्ट के इस्तेमाल करने के प्रति जागरूक करने के लिए दिल्ली के आरडब्ल्यूए एसोशिएशन ने सोशल मीडिया पर जागरूकता अभियान शुरू किया है। जल्द ही यह अभियान डोर टू डोर कैंपेन में तब्दील होगा।

ईस्ट दिल्ली आरडब्ल्यूए ज्वाइंट फ्रंट के अध्यक्ष वीएस वोहरा ने बताया कि उन्होंने फेसबुक पर Voice of Delhi के नाम से पेज बनाकर इस अभियान को शुरू किया है। उन्होंने बताया कि वे लोगों से सिर्फ वोट करने की अपील करने के साथ अच्छा उम्मीदवार चुनने के लिए कह रहे हैं। चाहे वह किसी दल का हो या निर्दलीय उम्मीदवार।


सोशल मीडिया पर आरडब्ल्यूए यह भी बता रहे हैं कि अगर आपको कोई उम्मीदवार पसंद नहीं है तो ईवीएम पर नन ऑफ एबव यानी राइट टू रिजेक्ट के अधिकार का इस्तेमाल करें, मगर मतदान करने जरूर जाएं।

with thanks : Amar Ujala

Voice of Delhi
East Delhi RWAs Joint Front
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Monday, October 14, 2013

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Cell Tower Radiation ?????







































Cell Tower Radiation : The report at the end says that : DISCLOSURE : All of us have been working on R&D in telecom for 5 to 35 years. From time to time, some of our work has been funded by various government agencies and by telecom operators ( mostly through Telecom Centres of Excellence at !!Ts). Some of us have been consultants to telecom manufacturing and operations companies and have also been independent board members of these companies. We sign the statement in our professional capacity and as responsible citizens.

Friday, October 11, 2013

RWAs Election manifesto will have a direct effect on their commitments and implementation

Is the Govt. unaware of the legal rights due to the masses?  Then why it is implemented only after getting directions from Honorable courts.  It indicates the Govt. is not applying their mind and bent upon depriving the people of their legal rights.  I also congratulate you in preparing the Election manifesto to be forwarded to the Political parties for their comments and assurance for implementation.This will have a direct effect on their commitments and implementation.  

R K Nanda

Denial to power supply is violation of human rights: HC

A Subramani TNN 

Chennai : In a landmark ruling, the Madras high court has said electricity supply is a legal right and its denial would amount to violation of human rights. 

Justice S Manikumar, directing Tiruvannamalai district administration and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) to give electricity supply to over 180 families of launderers, on Tuesday said: “Access to electricity should be construed as a human right. Denial of it would amount to violation of human rights. 

Noting that electricity has a bearing on education, health and family economy of the poor, Justice Manikumar said: “Lack of electricity supply is one of the determinative factors, affecting education, health and a cause of economy disparity, and consequently, inequality in society leading to poverty. Children without electricity supply cannot even imagine competing with others.”

with thanks : TOI : LINK

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

मुन्ना नहीं मिला !

" एक सज्जन बनारस पहुँचे। स्टेशन पर उतरे
ही थे कि एक लड़का दौड़ता आया,
‘‘मामाजी! मामाजी!’’ — लड़के ने लपक कर
चरण छूए।
वे पहचाने नहीं। बोले — ‘‘तुम कौन?’’
‘‘मैं मुन्ना। आप पहचाने नहीं मुझे?’’
‘‘मुन्ना?’’ वे सोचने लगे।
‘‘हाँ, मुन्ना। भूल गये आप मामाजी! खैर,
कोई बात नहीं, इतने साल भी तो हो गये।
मैं आजकल यहीं हूँ।’’
‘‘अच्छा।’’
‘‘हां।’’
मामाजी अपने भानजे के साथ बनारस घूमने
लगे। चलो, कोई साथ तो मिला। कभी इस
मंदिर, कभी उस मंदिर। फिर पहुँचे
गंगाघाट। बोले कि "सोच रहा हूँ,
नहा लूँ!"
‘‘जरूर नहाइए मामाजी! बनारस आये हैं और
नहाएंगे नहीं, यह कैसे हो सकता है?’’
मामाजी ने गंगा में डुबकी लगाई। हर-हर
गंगे! बाहर निकले तो सामान गायब, कपड़े
गायब!
लड़का... मुन्ना भी गायब!
‘‘मुन्ना... ए मुन्ना!’’
मगर मुन्ना वहां हो तो मिले। वे
तौलिया लपेट कर खड़े हैं। ‘‘क्यों भाई
साहब, आपने मुन्ना को देखा है?’’
‘‘कौन मुन्ना?’’
‘‘वही जिसके हम मामा हैं।’’
लोग बोले, ‘‘मैं समझा नहीं।’’
‘‘अरे, हम जिसके मामा हैं वो मुन्ना।’’
वे तौलिया लपेटे यहां से वहां दौड़ते रहे।
मुन्ना नहीं मिला।

ठीक उसी प्रकार...
भारतीय नागरिक और भारतीय वोटर के
नाते हमारी यही स्थिति है!
चुनाव के मौसम में कोई आता है और हमारे
चरणों में गिर जाता है। "मुझे
नहीं पहचाना! मैं चुनाव का उम्मीदवार।
होने वाला। मुझे
नहीं पहचाना...?"
आप प्रजातंत्र की गंगा में डुबकी लगाते
हैं।
बाहर निकलने पर आप देखते हैं कि वह शख्स
जो कल आपके चरण छूता था, आपका वोट
लेकर गायब हो गया।
वोटों की पूरी पेटी लेकर भाग गया।
समस्याओं के घाट पर हम तौलिया लपेटे खड़े
हैं। सबसे पूछ रहे हैं — "क्यों साहब, वह
कहीं आपको नज़र आया? अरे वही, जिसके
हम वोटर हैं। वही, जिसके हम मामा हैं।"
पांच साल इसी तरह तौलिया लपेटे, घाट
पर खड़े बीत जाते हैं।
आगामी चुनावी स्टेशन पर भांजे
आपके इंतजार मे....."

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Please view pics from our campaign during MCD Elections in Delhi from the link below : http://www.rwabhagidari.com/votedelhivote.htm

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Delhi Assembly Elections !

May i just ask from the readers, that, can we never come up, think & talk, over and above our personal interests & discuss the truth that really bothers our own city ?

Friday, October 4, 2013

Doctors call for tests on 'mystery' pollution found in Yamuna

Pollution in Yamuna refuses to come down despite efforts by the Delhi government and various agencies to reduce the contamination levels in the river. 

The sorry picture once again came to the fore recently when Delhi Jal Board officials stumbled upon some "mystery" pollutants which are found to be deteriorating the water quality of the river to a dangerous level. 

The rise in levels of cyanotoxins and other unidentified pollutants found in Yamuna may pose severe health risks
The rise in levels of cyanotoxins and other unidentified pollutants found in Yamuna may pose severe health risks.

The unidentified pollutants were discovered during a disinfection drive by the Jal Board in the river. 

By their own admission, Jal Board officials don't have the necessary technology to find out the origin of these contaminants, which may pose severe health risks to humans. 

The Jal Board scientists, who conducted a water chlorination study, said heavy doses of chlorine would be required to decontaminate these pollutants. 

They claimed to have found several unidentified by-products in the river water, which form when chlorine reacts with ammoniacal contaminants and cyanobacterial bloom. This also suggests the presence of cyanobacterial bloom in Yamuna, exposure to which poses severe health risks to humans.


with thanks : dailymail : LINK : for detailed news.

Delhi Jal Board : No water here ?

NO WATER SUPPLY IN OUR AREA
H NO. F-54, 57,58, 59, 61, F BLOCK, KAMLA NAGAR.
SINCE FIVE DAYS. URGENT MATTER.

RWA PRESIDENT(KAMLA NAGAR F BLOCK(REGD))
RK SETH
54 F , KAMLA NAGAR
9871672409

Ban citizens .....

Directions of the Supreme Court are perfect, why the Govt. is bent upon changing the same with unreasonable reasons, they are making the democracy their own tool.  We should resist such efforts of the Sarkar, they are bent upon in making, amending and practicing with malafide intention for their own benefit, not the benefit of the people, who have elected them to run the Govt. Please do not interfere with Constitution of India and avoid making amendments for your own interest.

Raj Kumar Nanda

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Discoms are haughty: Delhi consumer forum

Discoms are "haughty" and "revel in harassing customers," the Delhi State Consumer Commission has held, while dismissing BSES Yamuna's plea against an order directing it to refund excess power charges it had "coerced" a lady doctor into paying for alleged theft of electricity. 

"Electricity department is a welfare department and is supposed to provide necessary facilities without disruption, but functioning of the appellant/opposite party (BSES Yamuna) shows that they have scant regard for welfare of the society and their attitude is that of being hot-headed and haughty and they seem to revel in harassing customers. 

"It is high time they change their attitude and realise that they are supposed to provide hassle-free service. The case in hand provides an example of such attitude," a bench presided by Justice Barkat Ali Zaidi said. 

The bench confirmed the order of the district consumer forum, which had absolved the complainant Nirmala Joseph of theft charges and held that the discom had coerced her into paying Rs 4,12,116 as power consumption and theft charges. 

The district forum had directed the discom to revise her power consumption bills and after deducting the correct charges from the amount of Rs 4,12,116, to refund the rest along with compensation of Rs 25,000. 

This order was challenged by the discom, whose plea was rejected by the commission. 

The commission observed "there is no theft involved in this case. The meter was taken away by the electricity authorities (discom) and they have not alleged that it was tampered with. After the meter had been removed by the electricity authorities, a direct connection was provided to the respondent. 

with thanks : Business Standard : LINK : for detailed news.