New Delhi: The BJP on Saturday announced an
agitation in Delhi from next week against the government`s
alleged interference in the functioning of the DERC which has
suggested power tariff cut despite discoms` resistance.
"We are fighting for reducing the power tariff in the
interest of the Delhiites. DERC is an autonomous body but the
state government is trying to curb its powers to fix the
tariff rate," BJP Delhi president Vijender Gupta told
reporters here.
He said that during the next 15 days beginning from
June 22, his party would stage demonstrations and dharnas
against the state government, power companies as well as DERC
"which is keeping quiet".
RWAs, women and children would demonstrate in a
peaceful manner against the government diktat, said the BJP
leader.
"The Solicitor General of India has opined that any
interference by Delhi Government in the working of DERC is
illegal. Still the government is doing do so in violation of
norms," he alleged.
Also, the failure of DERC to announce power tariff
shows that it is under the influence of private power
companies as well the state government, he claimed.
Meanwhile, Gupta termed as "vague" the legal notice
sent by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to him over the issue of
advertisement hoarding.
"The legal notice sent to Gupta is vague and false as
the hoardings were put up after following all norms," the BJP
city president`s lawyer said in reply to the notice.
On June 13, Dikshit had served a legal notice on Gupta
for alleging that she had ordered removal of hoardings put up
by the party across the national capital to "educate" people
about "exploitation being committed by the power distribution
companies".
In the legal notice, Dikshit had asked Gupta to tender
an unconditional apology within three days or else he would
face legal action for defamation.
PTI
