Inspite of very serious & shocking issues in the ARR petitions of DISCOMs, New Power Tariff expected today

Inspite of very serious & shocking issues in the ARR petitions of DISCOMs, they are going to announce the Power Tariff today at around 3pm. Shockingly, we the stakeholders were not at all informed/intimated about the Public hearing. We strongly oppose any such move of DERC. Let DERC announce the New Tariff, we will share the Shocking issues with the Media.

Open Letter to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal – What is going wrong in terms of Electricity !

6th June, 2016

Mr Arvind Kejriwal,

CM Delhi

Subject : ELECTRICITY, DERC, DISCOMs :

Dear Sir,

Our system has forced us to bear the Monopolistic practices of DISCOMs, as we don’t have any choice. We are forced to have a connection only from a specific service provider, at any RATE ( power tariff & regulatory assets ) they want, at any QUALITY ( fluctuations & low voltages ) they offer and at any QUANTITY ( outages ) they could give to the consumers and that too, in the absence of any CAG or RTI.

Please go through the Electricity Act as below and see, at how many places it talks about the competition as well promotion of competition :

http://www.cercind.gov.in/Act-with-amendment.pdf

THE ELECTRICITY ACT, 2003 [No.36 of 2003] [26th May, 2003] An Act to consolidate the laws relating to generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity and generally for taking measures conducive to development of electricity industry, promoting competition therein, protecting interest of consumers and supply of electricity to all areas, rationalization of electricity tariff, ensuring transparent policies regarding subsidies, promotion of efficient and environmentally benign policies, constitution of Central Electricity Authority, Regulatory Commissions and establishment of Appellate Tribunal and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Section 23. (Directions to licensees): If the Appropriate Commission is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do for maintaining the efficient supply, securing the equitable distribution of electricity and promoting competition, it may, byorder, provide for regulating supply, distribution, consumption or use thereof.

Section 60. (Market domination): The Appropriate Commission may issue such directions as it considers appropriate to a licensee or a generating company if such licensee or generating company enters into any agreement or abuses its dominant position or enters into a combination which is likely to cause or causes an adverse effect on competition in electricity industry.

Section 61. ( Tariff Regulations ) : (c) the factors which would encourage competition, efficiency, economical use of the resources, good performance and optimum investments;

Section 62. (Determination of tariff): Provided that in case of distribution of electricity in the same area by two or more distribution licensees, the Appropriate Commission may, for promoting competition among distribution licensees, fix only maximum ceiling of tariff for retail sale of electricity.

Section 79. (Functions of Central Commission): 2 (ii) promotion of competition, efficiency and economy in activities of the electricity industry;

Section 86. (Functions of State Commission): 2 (i) promotion of competition, efficiency and economy in activities of the electricity industry;

Section 131. (Vesting of property of Board in State Government): (5) A transfer scheme under this section may- (a) provide for the formation of subsidiaries, joint venture companies or other schemes of division, amalgamation, merger, reconstruction or arrangements which shall promote the profitability and viability of the resulting entity, ensure economic efficiency, encourage competition and protect consumer interests;

But in reality, there is no competition at all. The truth is that, our system has forced us to bear the Monopolistic practices of DISCOMs, as we don’t have any choice. We are forced to have a connection only from a specific service provider, at any RATE they want, at any QUALITY  they offer and at any QUANTITY they could give to the consumers and that too, in the absence of any CAG or RTI.

May i request you to please look into the above issue & do the needful for the benefit of Delhiites ?

With Best regards,

B S Vohra

Social Activist

www.RWABhagidari.com

Power Tariff issue with DERC : The Hindu

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

Pay up or shutdown: Power companies threaten Capital with black out on Independence Day over unpaid dues

The National Capital may wake up to a blackout on Independence Day as two power generation companies (gencos) - Pragati Power Corporation Limited (PPCL) and Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited (IPGCL) - have threatened a shutdown if their dues, running into thousands of crores of rupees, are not cleared by August 15. 

A senior power department official said there is a heavy backlog of outstanding dues against BSES on account of nonpayment of dues, which have accumulated over the years. 

Threat: PPCL and IPGCL have written to the Delhi government that they will be bound to stop power generation from August 15 on account of heavy outstanding dues against power distribution company BSES "Total dues is Rs 3,400 crore. Out of this Rs 2,700 crore is due towards gencos - PPCL and IPGCL. Moreover, the discom owes Rs 700 crore to the Delhi Transco Ltd," said the official. 

BSES authorities admitted the outstanding dues but cited helplessness in clearing them owing to a gap in purchase and sale of power in the National Capital. 

Explaining the heavy outstanding dues, a BSES spokesperson, requesting anonymity, said power purchase cost in Delhi is too high as compared to the power tariff. 

"In the last 10 years, purchase cost has gone up by about 300 per cent while the power tariff has risen only by 70 per cent.

With thanks : Daily Mail UK : LINK : for detailed news. Must view.

DERC to appoint agency for testing of faulty meters

Under attack from BJP and Aam Aadmi Party over "inflated" power bills, Delhi's power regulator DERC has decided to appoint an "independent" agency within a month to carry out testing of electricity meters. 

"We feel consumers should have a choice to get their meters tested by an independent agency. The whole process to appoint the agency will be completed within one month," Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chairman P D Sudhakar said. 

He said the Commission has already invited bid from private and government entities having accreditation from National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) which functions under Department of Science and Technology of Government of India. 

Sudhakar said in case a meter is found to be inaccurate, then the cost of carrying out the test will have to be borne by the power distribution company which installed it. But if the meter is found accurate then the consumer will have to pay the fee for testing the meter. 

"In case a meter is found to be fast running, then the concerned power distribution company will have to adjust the past bills accordingly," the DERC chairman said. 

At present, consumers have to approach the private power distribution companies for testing of their meters. Consumers also have the option of preferring testing of meters at Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) in Bangalore through the Public Grievance Cell of Delhi government. 

Both BJP and Aam Aadmi Party have been attacking the DERC alleging that most electricity meters in the city run fast. 

Sudhakar said DERC has already set aside Rs 50 lakh for facilitating third party testing of meters. 

The Commission has also set aside Rs 20 lakh for the Electricity Consumer Advocacy Centre which will have a panel of lawyers who will assist consumers to take up their grievances with Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and courts in Delhi. 

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

Delhi's power regulator favours CAG audit of private discoms

NEW DELHI: Two days after announcing a five per cent hike in power tariff, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission(DERC) on Sunday said there should be a thorough scrutiny of finances of all three private power distribution companies by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Chairman of the city's power regulator P D Sudhakar said scrutiny of the accounts of the discoms by the CAG will help knowing the actual financial position of the private companies.

"There should be a CAG audit of the accounts of all the private power distribution companies. We have already sent a recommendation to the Delhi government for it," DERC chairman P D Sudhakar told PTI.

The BJP and Aam Admi Party (AAP) have been demanding CAG audit of finances of the discoms, alleging huge financial irregularities by them. However, the discoms are strongly opposed to auditing of their accounts by CAG.

"We finalised the tariff structure after examining their financial positions. But still I would recommend a CAG audit as it will be very different from the auditing we carry out," the DERC chairman said.

The BJP has been seeking CAG audit into finances of discoms referring to a DERC proposal in May 2010 to cut the tariff by around 25 per cent citing their healthy financial position. The Delhi Government had restrained the regulator from going ahead with the tariff order.

with thanks : ECONOMIC TIMES : LINK : for detailed news.

NGO complains against discom

NEW DELHI An NGO has moved DERC against the discom BSES for distributing pamphlets along with power bills to show that the tariff in Delhi is much less compared to other metros. United Residents Joint Association (URJA) wants action against the discom, claiming that the move was aimed at influencing consumers before tariff determination. It cited a 2010 order by the regulatory body where BRPL and BYPL, both under BSES, were sent show-cause notices for speaking on tariff before it was fixed. 

"Discoms are not allowed to issue pamphlets or make statements on tariff once they have submitted their annual petitions and their scrutiny has begun. Any such move is viewed as an attempt to influence the commission or consumers," said Amit Aggarwal, a senior member of URJA. 

with thanks : Times of India : LINK : for detailed news.

DERC Rejects Discoms' Tariff Hike Demand

In a major setback to the power distribution companies in the Capital, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has once again rejected the contentions of discoms seeking hike in power tariff. Hardening its position on the ongoing faceoff over the power tariff dispute, the DERC has shot off letters to all three private discoms rejecting their arguments point-by-point, demanding an increasing in the rates. 

 

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission also sent a letter to the Government, believed to be sympathetic to the demands by the discoms, strongly objecting to any hike in tariff. The letters to discoms as well as to the Government from the DERC came days after a top official in the Chief Minister's office said genuine demands of the discoms must be addressed by the regulatory board while finalising the new electricity rates.

In its letter to Tata backed discom - NDPL - the DERC said the company made a profit of Rs 468.82 crore in 2009-10, which increased from Rs 169.60 crore in 2004-05, an increase of 176 per cent. The regulator also charged NDPL of giving "figures without any basis" in its representation to the Government demanding a hike while ignoring the fact that the audited accounts for 2009-10 showed a cash profit of Rs 468.82 crore. 

Also rejecting the discom's arguement that banks have refused to lend money to the company for its poor financial position, DERC said credit rating agency ICRA has given NDPL high credit quality rating for its healthy financial position.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : DailyPioneer

www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com

Power rates shall go down if CM allows AND DERC has courage

Bloggers may recall the struggle in which couple of us participated to reveal truth about cost and performance of BSES and Tata distribution companies in Delhi. There were written and oral submissions and our dear Sharama ji did wonderful job besides others. We feel satisfied that DERC LISTENED BUT our political bosses spannered the tariff reduction proposal of DERC. We need to know what is happening.

I take this opportunity to say that DESU had spent a good deal of money to buy equipment which helps work on LIVE LINES AND no shutting down of line or transformer is needed. It is really regretful to see that a complete transformer is shut down plunging almost complete colony into darkness even when a work is to be carried out on a line feeding a small segment of colony.

Further, regarding customer education or interaction with residence NO MINUTES ARE ISSUED. I draw attention to MEETINGS HELD IN KARKARDOOMA AND NIRMAN VIHAR. No minutes of meeting have been received (and not even issued). The representative of residents associations and societies had made several suggestions but we do not know what happened. BSES MUST HAVE at least a monthly meeting to know how consumers are reacting to their unsheduled and announced shedding or planned shedding.

Merely publishing in some obscure news paper does not satisfy us. Why TV CHANNELS OR NATIONAL NEWS PAPERS COULD BE MEDIUMS TO INFORM PUBLIC.

Your Power Bill May Go Up Every Three Months

A new formula is being worked out to hike your electricity bills every three months, even as the power distributors (discoms) for the first time asked the Delhi government to bail them out by lending Rs 700 crore to meet a perceived cash crunch.

Sources said the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has in principle agreed to consider a new financial tool for discoms allowing them to charge a variable "fuel surcharge" in the elec- tricity bills every quarter.

 

Thus, the power tariff will be reviewed every three months, as the fuel-surcharge component will help discoms recover the extra money they pay to power generators whenever the cost of gas or coal used to produce the power increases.

The power generators charge this monthly, over and above the per unit cost of power they sell, if the input cost of coal or gas goes up.

Discoms have been complaining that this causes a bleeding of their cash as they recover the extra money only two years later when their expenses are trued up, while borrowing to meet expenses now.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : Hindustan Times

www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com

DERC Hearing on Supply Code and Performance Standards

To
The Secretary
DERC, Viniyamak Bhawan,
C-Block, Shivalik, Malviya Nagar,
New Delhi-110017

Subject: Non-compliance of Guaranteed Standards of Performance by BYPL

Dear Sir,

There is no compliance of Guaranteed Standards of Performance by BYPL particularly in VISHWAS NAGAR area of East Delhi. The Discom never ever compensated any of the affected consumers in case of its failure to meet Guaranteed Standards of Performance as per the Delhi Electricity Supply Code and Performance Standards Regulations.

Kindly have a look at the functioning of BSES Yamuna Power Ltd regarding Power Supply and maintenance in Vishwas Nagar in the last one month. The following is the record of Power Cuts /Load Shedding in the area :


Date Timings of Power Cut Complaint No. made to BSES Call Centre Complaint made to others
31-01-10 11 am to 2 pm 689
08-02-10 7:30 pm to 10 am on 9-2-10
09-02-10 7:30 pm on 8-2-10 to 10 am
11-02-10 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm 1334 & 1364 428 oim (PGC, GNCTD)

12-02-10 10 am to 9 pm 386 CEO & CM office
13-02-10 9 am to 12 noon
15-02-10 10 am to 12 noon 469
16-02-10 11 am to 5 pm
17-02-10 3 pm to 6:15 pm
18-02-10 4 pm to 6 pm & 7:15 pm to 8 pm
23-02-10 10 am to 11 am
26-02-10 5 pm to 6:30 pm
01-03-10 12 noon to 1 pm & 2:30 pm to 4 pm 369
08-03-10 3 pm to 4 pm
09-03-10 4 pm to 5 pm & 5:30 to 6 pm

The BSES Customer Care Centres are of no use, hours after making the complaint they don’t have any status about the area. The officers of BYPL like DGM(O&M), Asst VP(O&M), VP(O&M) and BYPL CEO office are personally connected many times about the problem /situation but of no help from them also.

The public/ RWA is never ever informed of any power cut or load shedding in Advance by way of Press releases or letter or mail or by phone, so that they may get mentally prepared for the trouble/ nuisance by Discom.
This is the sample of maintenance and system up gradation /modernization by BSES and for all these types of services, BSES is asking for Tariff Revision?

Yours sincerely


(LALIT MOHAN SHARMA)
General Secretary

DERC HEARING ON 10TH MARCH 2010

Those who submitted written submissions i think have been called for personal hearings. I have been called on 10th march 2010 at 10.30am and second session will begin around 2.30Pm.
I will submit what transpired in hearing, the moment i am back home.

KK GHEI
A-78 Madhuvan new delhi 110092

DERC PERSONAL HEARING 10TH MARCH 2010

I have just now received invitation to participation in hearing on 10 th march. We have to prepare from this very moment onward. Kindly advise any electricity failure during say last sic months...more than SIX HOURS..any failure lasting THREE HOURS and any no current complaint pending beyound four hours.

Also confirm if karkardooma meeting was minuted and minutes received by any one of you. NIRMAN VIHAR BSES AND RWAS i have recorded verbatim stretching over three hours. KINDLY DO YOUR BIT and leave rest on GOD.

K K Ghei

DERC Public Hearing

Dear Mr Ghei Sir,

It is very sad that a learned person like you is absent on the day of hearing at DERC. We missed you a lot. I was thinking that you might have some other urgent piece of work that’s why you had not attended the hearing. Now only I came to know that you did not get invitation. It was (I think) due to yours not quoting your address in your objections or may be DERC people did not find your address in the letter that you had e-mailed them.

Sir your name was there in the list, but in address column only your e-mail ID was given and this information (list of persons filled objections with their addresses) was also available on DERC website.

Many of us including me, who filed the objections, received invitation from DERC by speed post on 19-2-2010. Hearing held on 23rd for RWAs, on 24th for Industrial /Commercial Associations and on 25th for NGO /Govt Bodies.

DERC HEARINGS AND HIKE IN TARIFF BSES

I read in news papers that derc has conducted hearings and would finalise Tariff by march end. Kindly confirm if u recieved any invite as i had no invitation though filed objections. SINCE IT IS VERY URGENT KINDLY CONFIRM STATUS.

K K Ghei

PUBLIC RESPONSE TO ARR - TARIFF FOR FY 2010-11

The Secretary

DERC, Viniyamak Bhawan, C-Block

Shivalik, Malviya Nagar,

New Delhi - 17

Ref: Public notice in HT dated 17.1.10

Dear Sir,

Following observations which are common to all Licensees be considered before taking up ARR. Format for presentation of ARR data is not the same, therefore comparison and making observation for an ordinary consumer is difficult. Hence, more details in terms of fixed charges and category wise recovery, in a standard format, be made available for reasonable feedback.

4. Discoms had proposed tariff increase from 50% to 70% whereas no increase had been proposed by NDMC. Discoms in private sector had already implemented four increases taking it almost to twice the tariff in July 2002. At the same time there is no increase in NDMC area since 2002. So why the consumers with DISCOM should suffer when tariff, quality of supply and grievance redressal, are much better in NDMC.

5. AT and C, loss calculations are not correct, when major consumption in DISCOM offices as well as sub-stations not recorded. This stand is confirmed in the petition with CIC on the RTI by Shri H.L. Kalsi. However metering be done now in all discom offices as well as sub-stations and these figures be accounted for since July 2002. It will have repercussion on previous increase in tariff, and suo-moto refund.

6. Levy of fixed charges differ between DISCOMS & NDMC. The date of implementation is also different. It was made effective during 2004 in DISCOMs whereas during 2008 in NDMC. The rate of fixed charges is Rs. 2/- Per kw in NDMC against Rs. 12/- per kw in DISCOMs. Discrepancy be rectified before approval of ARR for 2010-11.

7. Fixed charges are not part of regular tariff, therefore it’t of receipts and expenditure, be projected separately and not as a part of total revenue.

8. The Services being rendered against fixed charges, not elaborated as on date. How long consumer is expected to pay fixed charges, be projected as the same are not part of consumption tariff.

9. Crors-subsidy in tariff, was basically introduced to support agriculture. Therefore, commercial and industrial sector, pays higher tariff whereas domestic sector contribute at par. As regards agriculture area in Delhi, it had reduced to 1% whereas commercial & Industrial revenue, increased to more then 40%. This amounts to undue benefit to licensee, hence bifurcation of revenue in different categories be made public in the ARR.

10. Replacement of electro-mechanical meters by electronic meters, is yet to be implemented in domestic sector of NDMC. On the contrary, DISCOMs carried out replacement twice i.e from electro-mechanical meters to electronic meters and subsequently electronic meters to digital meters. It appears that technology improvement is not required in VIP areas under NDMC, else DISCOM motive is different which may be made clear.

11. There is no transparency in DISCOMs under private sector particularly in tendering and salary structure. Norms and delegations of ECGRF are not available on website. Hence accountability in power sector is low, inspite of DERC performance standards, tilted in favour of Licensees.

12. Consumers are bound to bear discretionary higher pay package for employees. After seven years of operations pay-scales/perks are yet to be standardized, especially when govt. holds sharing of 49%. Salaries, without norms, should not be considered in ARR.

13. Merger of different categories in tariff and reduction of slabs, are not acceptable, while looking at ARR

B. L. Poddar R. N. Gupta

Acting President General Secretary

HIGH POWER TARIFF BY BSES

On behalf of over 500 families of Priyadarshini Vihar and our neighbouring colonies,Gyan Kunj and East End Enclave (in East Delhi), I wish to register our anguish and frustration due to evident discrimination by the Government in supply of electric power to the people living in NDMC areas with others living outside the NDMC areas. We submit the following for your thoughtful

consideration before distribution companies hike the tariff further as proposed:

1. The power tariff in NDMC areas is much less as compared with our areas;

2. Govt continues to provide fat subsidies in the NDMC area, where most of the VIPs live; whereas

govt has withdrawn the subsidy in our area. It is pertinent to mention that people living in NDMC areas do not pay higher rate of taxes than us, then why this discrimination?

3. Mechanical meters have not been changed in the NDMC area, whereas fast running electronic

meters have been thrusted upon the consumers in other areas. Why?

4. Already, we are paying 250 to 300% more since the change of electronic meters and withdrawal of subsidy; if the tariff is increased further (as proposed), it would be suicidal for us.

5. In stead of increasing the tariff further, BESS should check the pilferage. We understand that most of their own sub-stations do not have meters. They themselves are the culprits. In view of the foregoing, the DERC is requested to first try to eliminate the basic difference between NDMC and other areas. While, we do agree and appreciate that the rate of power failure has improved a lot since the privatization, any further increase in tariff will be unbearable!!

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

R. N. Gupta

General Secretary

Priyadarshini Vihar Residents' Welfare Association

B-170 Priyadarshini Vihar

Delhi - 110 092.

Objections to DERC reg. Tariff hike

The Secretary
DERC, Viniyamak Bhawan,
C-Block, Shivalik, Malviya Nagar,
New Delhi-110017


Subject: Public Response to ARR-Tariff for FY 2010-11


Ref: Public Notice in HT dated 17.1.2010

Dear Sir,

Following observations which are common to all Licensees be considered before taking up ARR’s for Financial year 2010-11


1. Physical Verification

i) ARR of Discoms should not be considered till the process of physical verification of capital expenditure is scrutinized.

ii) M/s ASCI Hydrabad ,assigned the work for physical verification be directed to involve local RWA’s, NGO’s and individuals to assess ground realties.

2. Format

Format for presentation of ARR data is not same, therefore comparison and making observation for an ordinary consumer is difficult. Hence more details in term of fixed charges and category wise recovery in a standard format be made available for reasonable feedback.

3. Tarrif Revision

Discoms had proposed tariff increase from 50% to 70% whereas no increase had been proposed by NDMC. Discoms in private sector had already implemented four increases taking it almost to twice the tariff prevailing in July 2002. At the same time there is no increase in NDMC area since 2002. So why the consumers with DISCOM should suffer when tariff, quality of supply and grievance redressal is much better in NDMC.

4. AT & C Loss

AT & C loss calculations are not correct, when major consumption in DISCOM offices as well as sub-stations is not recorded. This stand confirmed in the petition with CIC, RTI by Sh. H L Kalsi. However, metering shall be done now, in all DISCOM offices as well as Sub-Stations and these figures be accounted for since July 2002. It will have repercussion on previous increase in tariff, and suo-moto refund.

5. Fixed Charges

i) Levy of fixed charges differ in DISCOMS & NDMC. The date of implementation is also different [ DISCOM effective in 2004 whereas NDMC- effective in 2008]. The rate of fixed charges is Rs. 2/-per KW in NDMC against Rs. 12/- per kw in DISCOMs. This discrepancy be rectified before approval of ARR for 2010-11.

ii) Fixed charges are not part of regular tariff, therefore it’s account in respect of receipt and expenditure be projected separately and not as part of total revenue.

iii) Services being rendered against fixed charges are not elaborated as on date. How long cosumer is expected to pay fixed charges be projected , as the same are not part of consumption tariff.

6. Subsidy

Cross-subsidy in tariff was basically introduced to support agriculture. Therefore commercial and industrial sector pays higher tariff whereas domestic sector contribute at par. As regards agriculture area in Delhi, it had reduced to 1 5 whereas commercial & industrial revenue increased to more than 40 %. This amounts to undue benefit to licensee, hence bifurcation of revenue in different categories be made public in the ARR.

7. Meter-Replacement

Replacement of electro-mechanical meters to electronic meters is yet to be implemented in domestic sector of NDMC. On the contrary DISCOMs carried out replacement twice i.e from electro-mechanical meters to electronic meters and subsequently electronic meters to digital meters. It appears that technology improvement is not required by VIP area under NDMC, else DISCOM motive is different, be made clear.

8. Transparency

i) There is no transparency in DISCOMs under private sector particularly in tendering and salary structure. Norms and delegations of ECGRF are not available on website. Hence accountability in power sector is low in spite of DERC performance standards tilted in favour of Licensees.

ii) Consumers are bound to bear discretionary pay package to employees. After seven years of operations pay-scale / perks are yet to be standardized especially when Govt. holds sharing of 49 % salaries without norms should not be considered in ARR.

9. Merger of categories
Merger of different categories in tariff and reduction of slabs are not acceptable while looking at ARR’s. NDMC slabs and tariff be implemented in DISCOMs.

10. Time of day metering should not be implemented, till previous issues related to metering and billing are streamlined.

11. Enhancement of load on consumption
and subsequent 30% surcharge on fixed charges as proposed by DISCOM should be rejected. This is nothing except additional harassment to consumers like false cases of theft.



Under the circumstances DERC should not consider ARR’s for 2010-11 till basic issues as mentioned above are not resolved in the interest of lakhs of consumers.


Yours sincerely

Lalit Mohan Sharma
General Secretary
Vishwas Nagar RWA
New Delhi-110092

Mobile:9868543317

False performance claim by BSES before DERC

BSES Yamuna and BSES Rajdhani want tariff hike because they have PERFORMED to achieve performance claims as per DERC standards.
They claim NO CURRENT COMPLAINTS ARE ATTENDED WITHIN THREE HOURS, AND LOW TENSION BREAK DOWNS ARE ATTENDED IN SAY FOUR HOURS ETC.
Could you please advise before 6TH FEB....
a. Complaints not attended even beyond six hours.
b. DAMAGED TRANSFORMERS NOT REPLACED WITHIN 24 HOURS.
c. ANY ELECTROCUTION CASE WHICH MAY BE FATAL OR NON FATAL
d. BILLING COMPLAINTS REGARDING ABNORMAL BILL ....100/% MORE AS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.
Kindly respond on 9811 868 133 or 4304 2395 or e mail kkghei@gmail.com
Kk ghei