In Delhi, BJP protesting over electricity and in UP its Govt is planning power tariff hike, says Deputy CM

Delhi deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Uttar Pradesh Government has initiated the process for hiking electricity tariffs by 26 per cent this summer even as its party Delhi unit is protesting over the issue here in the national Capital.  

Sisodia pointed out that the Delhi Government has been successful at maintaining the cheapest power tariffs in the country for the last four and a half years. “Delhi is the only State in the country that has not allowed a single increase in tariff for four successive years,” he said, adding that despite this, the BJP has been trying to rake up the issue by holding protests over this issue recently.

Addressing media persons on the issue, Sisodia expressed  surprise over the blatant ‘hypocrisy’ displayed by the BJP on this matter. He said that it is shocking that on the one hand, the BJP is raising the issue of power pricing in Delhi but on the other hand it is looting the people in the name of power bills in States ruled by it.

Citing media report, he said that the neighbouring UP government ruled by the BJP is looking to hike its power tariff by 26 per cent in the peak of summer. “The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd has written to the UP Electricity Regulatory Commission asking for 25 per cent hike in the tariff. This will be a big blow to the people of UP who already pay five times more than that of the consumers in Delhi,” he said. 

Instead of protesting over power prices, the BJP should first focus on stopping the open loot of the people of UP where they are running a Government, he said. Comparing power tariffs in Delhi with that of UP, especially within the NCR cities of Noida and Ghaziabad, Sisodia said, “In Delhi, 200 units of electricity costs Rs 200, at Rs 1 per unit. In UP, up to 150 units, the rate is Rs 4.90 per unit and from 150 to 300 units, it is as high as Rs 5.40 a unit.”

In Delhi for 400 units, the rate is Rs 2.50 per unit, and in Noida, it is Rs 6.20 a unit, he said.

Delhi has 24x7 power supply. We all know how bad the regularity of supply is even in other NCR cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, let alone the rest of the state. This has only been possible because Delhi has an honest government. I want to congratulate the people of Delhi who have elected a government that not only provides 24x7 power but also supplies the cheapest power in the country.”

Lamenting the shocking state of double standards being employed by the Opposition parties in Delhi, the deputy chief minister urged the BJP to first set its own house in order on the issues of power and water, and ensure cheap and accessible supply to the people in the various states ruled by it across the country.