New Delhi, Sep 7 (UNI) In order to avoid hardships to non-domestic/commercial and industrial consumers during the complete lockdown period of April-May, and considering the demand of industry associations and non-domestic consumers, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has reduced fixed charges by 50 per cent for the unutilised capacity of these consumers for this period.
The total unutilised capacity during this period was 80 per cent out of which 84 per cent pertains to Non Domestic consumers and 75 per cent for industrial consumers.
Delhi’s power minister Satyendar Jain said, “This will be a huge relief for the non-domestic and commercial users. The expected impact of the said waiver is around Rs 160 crore. This will benefit around 44,000 Industrial consumers and around 10 Lakh Non Domestic/ commercial consumers.”
Tweeting the order issued by the DERC, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “Delhi govt stands with the people of Delhi in this hour of crisis. This relief in fixed charges will help lakhs of people to face hardships caused by Corona.”
The order issued by the DERC reads, “The Commission considering prevalent grim situation due to outbreak of COVID-19 had exercised its powers under Regulations 168 and 172 of the DERC Tariffs Regulation 2017 and Regulations 84 and 85 of the DERC (Supply Code and Performance Standard) Regulations 2017 to address the hardships being faced by the stakeholders including electricity consumers of Delhi.”
“Accordingly, the Commission vide its Suo-Motu COVID-19 Order dated 07/04/2020 allowed relief to various stakeholders including Domestic consumers, Industrial consumers, Non-Domestic (Commercial, etc.) consumers, Public utilities, Distribution Licensees, etc. Further, the Commission is in receipt of representations from various stakeholders including Industrial Associations, Non-Domestic (Commercial, etc.) consumers, etc. for total / partial waiver of Fixed Charges during the current COVID-19 situation,” the order said.
Mr Kejriwal had met traders and industrial associations last week and had assured them that adequate steps will be taken to provide relief regarding the fixed power charges.
Over the last few days, many trader associations and industrial associations have met the chief minister and requested him to intervene in this regard.
The order read that during the lockdown period till May 30, 2020, majority of Non-Domestic (Commercial, etc) and Industrial Consumers did not use their system to the contracted capacity, However, the Fixed Charges at the applicable rate have been billed to them based on the Billing Demand as per the DERC (Supply Code and Performance Standards Regulation) 2017.
It further said, “The Commission hereby decides that for electricity bill pertaining to consumption related to April 2020 and May 2020, the eligible Industrial and Non-domestic (Commercial, etc) consumers whose monthly Maximum Demand is less than the Contract Demand/Sanctioned Load, the Billing Demand for computation of Fixed Charges for such consumers shall be split into two parts as follows – Fixed Charges for Billing Demand up to Maximum Demand shall be billed as per the existing rate of Rs 250/kVA/month; Plus Fixed Charges for remaining Billing Demand i.e., (Contract Demand/ Sanctioned Load minus Maximum Demand) shall be billed at 50 per cent of existing rate ie 125/KVA/ month.”
Following the Unlock guidelines of the Centre, the Delhi government has allowed several economic activities in the national capital.
At several stages, Mr Kejriwal has announced measures to revive the economy of Delhi.
Recently, the DERC had announced no power tariff hike for the sixth year in a row, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
