This Article is From Aug 11, 2013

BJP's rally against power hike in Delhi today

BJP's rally against power hike in Delhi today

The BJP has made the power tariff hike a political issue ahead of the elections scheduled later this year.

New Delhi: The BJP is holding a rally in Delhi today against the recent power tariff hike introduced in the capital. The Opposition party has made the power tariff hike a political issue ahead of the elections scheduled later this year.

The also will also release a 10-point formula to reduce power tariff and hand that over to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The party said it will reveal the formula to reduce power tariffs by at least 30 per cent in Delhi during its 'Bijli Rally'. BJP president Rajnath Singh will address the rally at the Ramlila Maidan, state unit chief Vijay Goel said in a press conference Saturday.

Apart from Mr Singh, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Delhi election in-charge Nitin Gadkari would also participate in the rally.

The Congress-led government has defended the hike saying power distribution companies have to make up for their losses. But Mr Goel said why discoms are still operating in the capital if they are incurring losses. "Why haven't they opted out of the power sector?" he asked.

Mr Goel, a former union minister in the National Democrat Alliance government, sought the support of trader associations, resident welfare associations and senior citizen federations of the capital to make the rally a success.

He also announced that after coming to power, the BJP would immediately review Congress government and Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission's decision to approve 300 per cent hike in power tariff.

"We (BJP) are committed to bringing down power tariff by 30 per cent. Those who are questioning it should know that if you have the right kind of intention and political will, then this is not difficult," he added.

The BJP leader also said power rates have been hiked 185 per cent since 2002.

He said his party would invite more power distribution companies and bring transparency in the sector if voted to power.

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