Centre ‘ hand- in- glove’ with discoms: Kejriwal

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said lieutenant- governor Najeeb Jung has cancelled the Aam Aadmi Party government’s order to make discoms pay for the unscheduled power cuts.

Addressing a gathering in Najafgarh, Mr Kejriwal said the L- G may also overturn the government’s power- subsidy decision and minimum wages proposal. He even accused the BJPled Centre of being “handinglove” with power companies.

Earlier in April, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission ( DERC) had passed an order, asking discoms to compensate consumers for unscheduled power cuts extending up to two hours in the national capital.

“We had passed an order under which power companies

Fifteen days ago, the L- G asked for the file pertaining to power companies and cancelled the order

Arvind Kejriwal, Chief minister

would have to compensate consumers for unplanned power cuts. They were bound to pay a penalty of ` 100 for every hour.”

“Fifteen days ago, the L- G asked for the file pertaining to this matter and cancelled the order. ( Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is hand- inglove with power companies. Why Modiji needed to turn down this order?” Mr Kejriwal said.

He said the Delhi government’s order would have improved the power situation in the capital. The chief minister further alleged that on Saturday Mr Jung sought the file related to power subsidy on the instructions of PM Modi.

Mr Kejriwal also expressed apprehension that the AAP government’s proposal to increase minimum wages by up to 50 per cent could be shot down by Mr Jung. He asked the people to “gherao the PM and L- G” if any a such step are taken.

During the function in the northwest Delhi area, some people waved black flags at Mr Kejriwal. The protesters alleged that the AAP dispensation has failed to deliver its promises.