Power purchase cost rising, discoms seek hike in tariff

Your electricity bills may soon increase significantly with the power regulator all set to approve the power-purchase cost adjustment (PPAC) for distribution companies for this quarter.

Though the electricity tariff is approved in a year, discoms have to keep on purchasing power from generating companies at different rates and fuel prices also keep on changing throughout the year. Discoms submit the actual price at which they have purchased power every three months and the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) determines whether it needs to be adjusted in the form of a surcharge.

According to DERC officials, discoms BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) have sought a 9 per cent increase in the surcharge. Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) has asked for a 12 per cent increase.

“We have received their power-purchase cost submission for this quarter. A fixed formula is applied to determine the percentage increase. The quantum is yet to be determined but there will surely be an increase,” said a senior DERC official.The official said while BRPL and BYPL have submitted for a power-purchase cost adjustment for the previous period, the TPDDL submitted it for the current period too.Thepower-purchase cost adjustment will be applicable from May.At present, consumers in TPDDL areas pay 1.5% surcharge while in BRPL and BYPL, they pay 3%. They had been paying this surcharge since February 1.

“The percentage increase on account of PPAC will be applicable as a surcharge on the total fixed and energy charges (excluding arrears, LPSC, E Tax etc.). The bill format will clearly identify the percentage and amount of PPA as separate entities,” explained the official.    Power distribution companies claim that they have to pay power suppliers such as the National Thermal Power Corporation and generation companies of Delhi on a monthly basis and the earlier method of recovery of these expenses used to take them at least two years to get the returns.

“Power distribution companies submit their bills stating the rate at which they have purchased cost. However, DERC will take a final decision after taking all the points into consideration such as increase in fuel cost etc,” added the official.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK

Save atleast those prisoners .....

We want justice !

Mobile Tower Radiation ?????

Mobile Tower Radiation : Plz view our regular updates. Thanks to MIDDAY. B S Vohra

in shame, being resident of capital !

every day we find ourselves in shame, being resident of capital of all bad things, starting from local crimes to molestations, rapes of minor to adult females including gang rapes in all parts of delhi. Whom to blame?our politicians or the society? there is total chaos, it seems that we are heading for civil unrest and that will decide the future of this country, I appeal to the so called democratic system of our country to stand beyound all party and caste barriers to save our nation, for which so many freedom fightors laid their lives. 

CA  Devesh Upadhyay

RWA draws flak for security lapses

NEW DELHI: The Madhuban Colony, where seven masked men barged into the house of former director of prosecutions (NCT) on Thursday and smothered his son to death, is said to be a safe colony in east Delhi. After rising incidents of petty crimes, the residents requested the RWA to increase security in the area. But despite repeated requests, no action has been taken so far. 

A tenant living at the 250-family colony claims that it is easy to gain access to this "gated'' colony. "The four-gated colony is manned by three guards during daytime, and five at night. But just one guard can be seen in the entire block after 10pm. Most often, he is spotted noting down car registration numbers at the main gate, said the tenant, adding that it is easy to gain access to the DDA park, adjacent to the B block where the incident took place. 

A retired IG-level officer's family told TOI how the local RWA had charged Rs 2,000 a month for five guards, but only one would be visible at night. When TOI visited the RWA office, it declined to comment. "We will not be speaking to anyone on the incident as it is a sensitive issue,'' one of the office bearers said. 

According to local police, all attempts to secure the colony have been stone-walled. "We had asked for CCTV cameras to be put up at strategic locations. But none of them have been placed so far. We also asked the guards to be verified, along with masons, vendors and labourers who work in the area,'' said an officer. 

The locals, however, want police to play a more proactive role. Two assailants had opened fire at a constable at the Preet Vihar crossing on Wednesday night and another robbery took place in the neighbouring Ram Vihar area. "Lax policing adds to the crimes in the area,'' said Mukesh Singh, a local resident. 

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Hindustan Times : Power issue : 26.4.13

Plz don't let it become a Rape capital !

Punish the Guilty !

Dildar Vs. Dagdaar ?

Woes of Anand Vihar in water front !

 In response to your clarion call in your esteemed newspaper under ‘Saving a mega city’ relating to DJB’s matters, I give the following comments for your consideration and highlighting them in your columns with the fond hope and aspiration that they will receive due attention of the authorities concerned for remedial expeditious action:-

Ø  Demolition of OHT: At the instance and approval of the then Govt.agencies and at the cost of the Anand Vihar Society (over Rs.6 lakhs) a huge ‘overhead tank’ was constructed in 1977 for storage and supply of ground water upto 1984 and with the supply of Ganga water in ’84 to the entire colony and surrounding areas, the OHT became redundant. The Society had been pleading time and again with all the authorities concerned to demolish it and construct a ‘underground water reservoir (UGR) at the same place for supply of water. Cracks had developed in OHT and may endanger the lives and properties of all residents around in Anand Vihar but no visible action has been taken so far by DJB – perhaps awaiting an (un)expected and sudden calamity to take place which will hit the ‘headlines’!

Ø  Unauthorized occupation: The DJB had unauthorizedly occupied the land surrounding the OHT which belongs to the Society, as its cost on land and development including for construction of the OHT, was borne by the Society. They are reluctant to leave it which could be profitably utilized for many useful  and beneficial purposes of the residents, whose number is increasing manifold day by day!

Ø  Replacement of water pipe lines: The entire water-pipe lines were laid when the colony came up over three decades back and the existing pipelines then laid have outlived their prescribed lives and are wearing out supplying rusted water through the pipelines endangering the lives of the people! Taking into consideration all factors, the DJB assured to replace the pipelines in phases in the entire colony about two years back but still a beginning has to be made! With the ‘plotted’ colony becoming ‘flatted’ colony and consequent increase in population and consumption of water by residents the DJB had also been requested to widen the gauge of the pipelines when being replaced! No response. Perhaps yet an another calamity awaited!

Ø  Cleaning of sewerage lines: With the increase in population in the colony and consequent increase of flow of sewerage, the DJB had been requested to increase the gauge of the sewer lines, pending that use a mechanical device to clean up the entire line in the colony. No action taken.

Ø  Water harvesting: As a measure of ‘water harvesting’ the Society had requested the MCD to puncture the concrete base of the storm water drainage line so that waste water will not accumulate but will seep into earth. But alas no action taken while they are propagating/appealing to citizens of Delhi to take adequate measures for ‘water harvesting’ where this simple method could save a lot of water, presently stagnating over the base of the covered drains and thus becoming a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes and spreading ‘malaria’ etc.

Ø  Billing system: In short it could be said: ‘atrocious’ as the entire billing system is totally disastrous and the meters readers and billing clerks are playing ‘havoc’ with the entire process sending unimaginable astounding amount of bills for payment and all are forced to go to DJB’s office to get them rectified! Have you ever heard of such a callous machinery functioning anywhere!

T K Balu

Anand Vihar