Delhi residents have noticed a hike in electricity bills due to a rise in the power purchase adjustment charge (PPAC) by 6–8%. The discoms (power distribution companies) have increased the charges according to the increase in the cost of purchasing power. “BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL), BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, and NDMC” are the four discoms that supply power to different parts of Delhi. The increased rates vary according to the area served by different discoms, as the PPAC is different for every discom. Total PPAC for BYPL is 37.8%, for BRPL it is 35.8%, for Tata it is 37.9%, and for NDMC it is 38.8%. The hike in electricity bills was noticed in July but was increased on May 1. This caused financial strain on the monthly budget of Delhi residents.
The hike in electricity bills is influenced by the rise in coal and fuel prices. Coal is used to make electricity, in which coal is burned down in a combustion chamber to produce heat, which then brings water to its boiling state. Water begins to discharge steam, which in turn pivots the turbines. The turbines are associated with an electric generator to create electricity.
Amongst the climb, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leaders have censured the AAP government for the climb, whereas AAP said that “it would stay steady and fault BJP-run states for higher costs.”
However, this will not affect the budget of consumers who are consuming 200 units on subsidy. Among the 65 lakh households, many of them didn’t pay the bill during the winters from January to April since their utilization was less than 200 units, which is free of charge." The climb is done to cover the vacillations of buying costs as there has been a rise in coal prices due to import and transportation costs, and electricity bills can be increased to manage the costs according to government regulations.
BJP leaders like Sachdeva criticized the AAP government and said that the Kejriwal government was busy with politics when it was time to make power plans for the summer. The party leader also criticized AAP for not auditing discoms in the past 10 years.
Replying back, Atishi said that “the Delhi government is providing electricity 24/7 at lower costs, and BJP-run states have higher costs. BJP leaders are spreading rumors.”