Electricity tariffs in Delhi may soon increase as Power Minister Ashish Sood revealed on Monday that the national capital is burdened with a massive Rs 27,000 crore debt left behind by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. This debt, owed to power distribution companies (discoms), has been accumulated through the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).
Responding to AAP MLA Imran Hussain’s question in the Delhi Legislative Assembly regarding a potential hike in electricity tariffs, Sood stated that discoms have the authority to raise rates to recover the outstanding dues.
“The previous government has left a debt of Rs 27 thousand crores of regulatory assets with the discoms through DERC. To recover this, the companies are authorised to increase the electricity rates. During the tenure of the previous government, on the orders of the high court, DERC was ordered to bring tariff orders,” he said.
He criticised the former AAP administration for failing to safeguard public interest and allowing the debt to spiral out of control. He also suggested that political motives could be at play in the situation.
“That government could not protect the interests of the public. In the coming time, electricity prices will rise, and perhaps some people even want this for their political gains. However, the government remains in touch with DERC and is closely monitoring the situation,” Sood added.
Atishi slams BJP over unfulfilled promises to women
Meanwhile, senior AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi targeted the BJP-led central government, accusing it of failing to deliver on its pre-election promise of financial aid to women. Speaking to ANI, she claimed that the promised Rs 2,500 assistance for women had yet to be disbursed.
“The BJP made a lot of promises before the elections. We hope that those promises are fulfilled in this budget session. The first and most important promise was that Delhi’s women would receive Rs 2,500 on March 8. Till today, even the registration of that scheme has not started. It is clear that PM Modi lied and betrayed the people of Delhi,” she said.
Atishi urged the government to honor its commitments during the ongoing Budget Session, saying, “We hope the people of Delhi are not let down in this budget.”
Delhi budget session
As the Budget Session commenced, newly elected Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta performed the traditional ‘Kheer’ ceremony, expressing gratitude to those involved in shaping the city’s financial roadmap. This session holds significance as it marks the BJP’s return to power in Delhi after 27 years following its victory in the 2025 Assembly elections. Scheduled from March 24 to March 28, with a possibility of extension, the session will focus on key financial and governance matters.
According to the List of Business, Chief Minister Gupta will move a motion to elect members for crucial financial committees, including the Committee on Public Accounts, Committee on Estimates, and the Committee on Government Undertakings, starting April 1, 2025.
“Rekha Gupta Chief Minister to move the following motion: That the Members of this House do proceed to elect in the manner required under Rule 192(2), Rule 194(2) and Rule 196(2) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly of National Capital Territory of Delhi, nine Members each from amongst themselves to serve as Members of the Committee on Public Accounts, Committee on Estimates and Committee on Government Undertakings beginning from 1st April 2025,” the list read.
