The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday urged Lieutenent Governor (LG) Anil Baijal to step in and address the issue of irregularities in the power sector, including the arbitrary increase in tariff. Delhi state party President Manoj Tiwari met Baijal and apprised him about the proposed hike in power tariff by the Arvind Kejriwal-led government. Tiwari said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was conniving with the Delhi Electricity Regulation Commission (DERC) and private power distribution companies in Delhi to hike power tariff. He also accused private power distribution companies of irregularities and demanded that the LG exercise his powers under Section 108 of Delhi Electricity Act, 2003, and direct the DERC to hold fresh public hearing on the proposed multi-year tariff and return of equity as well as invite fresh objections on the matter. The BJP leader told Baijal that the business regulation plan formulated with the ruling state government and private companies was not only against the public interest but was also not in conformity with the law. "Due to the connivance between the Kejriwal government and private power distribution companies, the latter continue to get return on equity (ROE) on the basis of bank rates, going as far back as 2002-2007. During this period, interest rates on loan were around 15 per cent, while ROE was 16 per cent. Now, in 2017, interest rates have fallen to 6 per cent but under the patronage of Kejriwal government, private companies continue to draw an ROE of 14 per cent," Tiwari claimed. He added that due to this, people were facing a burden of paying an extra Rs 600 crore per annum. 'Timely' benefits Consumers of the BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL), who pay their three consecutive BRPL bills on Paytm before the due date, will now get an annual accidental death insurance worth Rs 1 lakh. The scheme will continue till August, 2018. Consumers who have paid their bills before the due day in May, June, and July, 2017, through Paytm, will also be eligible for the scheme.

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