Discoms jumped the gun on revised electricity tariff

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has written to each of the three discoms, asking them to 'refund or adjust' the fuel surcharge that they levied on many consumers even before the effective date

The Capital's private discoms are again in the news for all the wrong reasons. This time they have been pulled up for levying a surcharge even before the February 1 deadline. 

 The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has written to each of the three discoms, asking them to 'refund or adjust' the fuel surcharge that they levied on many consumers even before the effective date. 

Officially, such a fluctuating, quarterly fee came into effect in the state's electricity system for the first time from this February. The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has written to each of the three discoms, asking them to 'refund or adjust' the fuel surcharge that they levied on many consumers even before the effective date For this period, the surcharge fixed by the DERC is five per cent of the per unit price. 

 The fluctuating fuel price adjustment surcharge was allowed by the commission as a relief measure to the private discoms who claimed losses on account of the increase in international fuel charges. DERC chairperson P.D. Sudhakar acknowledged that the commission had received complaints where the companies had levied this surcharge before February 1. 

with thanks : dailymail : link for detailed news.

HC suggests Delhi CM to settle out of court defamation case

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was today suggested by the Delhi High Court to settle out-of-court her defamation case against BJP leader Vijender Gupta. 

 "Why don't you settle the issue out of court?" Justice Kailash Gambhir said, asking the counsel to sit together and persuade their clients to resolve the matter by April 24. 

 The chief minister had filed the suit against Gupta for allegedly erecting hoardings across the city, accusing her government of conniving with private discoms and committing corruption in determining new power tariff. 

 The court passed the order after senior counsel Sanjay Jain, appearing for Gupta, submitted that his client had no intention to malign any individual but the government act was projected in a bad light. 

 Dikshit who had demanded a token Rs 1 as damages in her suit, had alleged that the BJP, under Gupta's leadership in June 2010 had erected hoardings in Delhi proclaiming that her government had "openly looted thousands of crores of rupees". 

with thanks : Economic Times : LINK for detailed news.

Social Activists !

Dear Friends,

Time by time, we upload on the blog, the views / opinions of various Social Activists such as Rajiv Kakria, Anil Sood, B B Tiwari, B S Vohra, Ranju Minhas, Rajiv Gujral, Rejimon, Y K Chawla, S L Watwani, Wg Cdr Satya Prakash, URJA Reps and many others.

May we request you to please keep on mailing us your valued comments for uploading.

With best regards,

Team

www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.in

www.RWABhagidari.com

JAGO GRAHAK JAGO

Dear Residents / Friends, 

On 'Worlds Consumer Rights Day' ( 15th March ie Today) , please see Attached Advertisement by Govt on 'JAGO GRAHAK JAGO' in many National newspapers spending many lakhs but what I feel Govt Agencies themselves Don't Act ??? 

You all are aware that Millions of Users/ Consumers are affected with the Electricity Tariff Hike which had no basis. You also read Hundreds of Press Reports, BIJLI ADALATS / AANDOLANS, TV Coverage & Live Janpaths/ TV shows etc presentations by Joint Fronts / Federations / RWAs & by many Experts & Social Activists bringing technical & logical points even presenting Govt's statistics in support in various DERC meetings by Rajiv Kakria, Anil Sood, Hemata Sharma, B B Tiwary, B S Vohra, S K Maheshwari, Ranju Minhas, Rajiv Gujral, Y K Chawla, S L Watwani, Wg Cdr Satya Prakash, URJA Reps & hundreds of others who represented these millions of consumers in various DERC meetings . 

Despite all the above activities, agitations we hear that even there will be still more Tariff Hike. My request / submission is 'Is there any use of such Advertisements for awakening for 'JAGO GRAHAK JAGO' by Govt agencies ' is justified when GOVT Agencies themselves are sleeping over ???. What GOVT want to Show when they can't ACT judiciously ??? 

 I know social activists have their limitations too, financial as well as for time since they have to devote time to their children & families & also to attend to official & professional commitments. I feel still they are doing their best for the cause. However I feel if we all consumers join together we can do wonders. Please join in support as & when a request reaches you from these Social Activists. 

Please also must read at following blog that about 40 % more Tarrif hike is in store for we consumers : RWABhagidari.blogspot.in

Is Privatisation of Electricity & Water is justified ??? 


With Warm Regards 
S L Watwani 
Social Activist

Residents should set the Agenda for the MCD Elections ..... Vote for the Candidate who promises to Deliver.

Come April and the heat will build up ...... I am talking of the Electoral Heat. Municipal elections impact the residents DIRECTLY, as delivery of Civic Amenities like Sanitation, Roads, Storm Water Drains, Parks, Community Centre / Club, Play Grounds, Encroachments, Parking, Stray dogs, mushrooming of Guest Houses, strict enforcement of building Bye Laws etc. come directly under MCD. Yet the electoral heat somehow does not transfer into vote percentage in Posh Colonies ..... it stays restricted to Drawing Room Debates and cribbing thereafter.

Political parties know this and choose candidates that suit their narrow political ends, ignoring the genuine needs of upmarket Colonies. The result is, while Posh Colony residents are given Royal Lip Service and an occasional Ornamental Gate for Park or yet more street lights, the real issues affecting the residents stay ignored.

This election, lets change that, set an agenda and a proforma stating the qualities we are looking for in our Councillor. An ideal candidate should have a proven track record of working for the welfare of the area, should have a vision for overall development and upgradation of services, should be proactive in taking up social issues that impact residents, should be able to handle MCD staff and get the most out of them (Welfare Jobs not Commissions), should forcefully place the voice of people in the corridors of power, should consult area residents before taking up development projects etc.

Important issues that must be addressed to maintain the Posh Tag of colonies ...... Clear footpaths of all encroachments, Storm Water Drains need to be relaid, Pavements are in shambles, Road Signages for directions to Block/houses, Regular Back lane Cleaning, Play Ground for Children, Community Centre/Club where needed, Creating Parking spaces, Maintenance of Parks, Stop Mushrooming of Guest Houses, retaining residential character of colonies, strict enforcement of building bye laws by builders, Market corridors should be free of encroachments and evenly laid with non skid materials for shoppers safety, Zebra Crossings at intersections, Yellow Line divider for smooth Traffic guidance etc.

This is not impossible as there are some areas that have better services .....  meaning someone is doing something right in pushing MCD staff to work ..... after all its the same MCD and we  pay taxes too.

So residents, just this once come out and show your demanding self at the polling booth ...... vote in large numbers ...... be proactive first in the selection of candidates ..... then forming an opinion about the right candidate ........ and elect who is best suited for your colony rising above party lines.

Rajiv Kakria

In summer, pay at least 40% more for power

NEW DELHI: This summer, be careful of how much electricity you consume as the summer of 2012 is likely to give a jolt to Delhiites in terms of their electricity bills.

The real effect of the power tariff hike will be felt when increased power consumption accompanied by the rise in tariff is likely to escalate bills in the hot months of May, June and July. In addition to last year's tariff hike of 22% and the implementation of the 5% quarterly fuel surcharge, discoms' demand for overall power purchase adjustment formula are expected to send bills surging during these months. 

Experts say that on average, Delhiites can expect their bills to be up by approximately 40-50% due to a combination of all these factors and the annual 20% rise in power demand.

with thanks : TOI : Link for detailed news.

Double whammy: New tariff with more surcharge

NEW DELHI: Three power distribution companies in Delhi want consumers to pay for their accumulated gaps for the last four years in the new tariff. 

 The discoms - BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna and Tata Delhi Power - have proposed in their public notices for levying a revenue gap recovery surcharge wherein the surcharge amount should be over and above the new tariff fixed by Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) for financial year 2012-13 . The discoms have not specified any time period for which they want the surcharge to levied in electricity bills but have made it clear they need all past dues to be recovered at the earliest to avoid further burden of carrying cost (interest) to consumers. The stakeholders have to reply to the public notices by March 31 to DERC, following which a public hearing will be held. 

 While asking for a consumer tariff hike of 19.7% for financial year 2012-13 , Tata Delhi Power has said the revenue gap recovery surcharge is proposed to help recover past arrears, which had accumulated to the tune of Rs 2,200 crore, which will not be part of tariff but a separate item in electricity bills. "The surcharge is proposed as a separate item in electricity bills applicable till the recovery gap with carrying cost is got back or an alternate plan worked out,'' said Tata Delhi Power officials.

with thanks : TOI : Link here for detailed news.

अमेरिकी साइट पर सोनिया की 'दौलत' के चर्चे

नई दिल्ली।। अमेरिकी वेबसाइट ' बिजनेस इनसाइडर 'ने दुनिया के सबसे रईस राजनेताओं की लिस्ट में कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष सोनिया गांधी को चौथे नंबर पर रखा है। इस लिस्ट में हरियाणा की विधायक और जिंदल समूह की चेयरपर्सन सावित्री जिंदल का नाम भी है। साइट के मुताबिक, कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष की संपत्ति 2 से 19 अरब डॉलर यानी 10 हजार से 45 हजार करोड़ के बीच हो सकती है। 

दरअसल, सबसे पहले यह खबर जर्मनी के अखबार 'डी वेल्ट' में छपी थी। इस अखबार के वर्ल्ड्स लग्जरी गाइड सेक्शन में दुनिया के सबसे रईस 23 नेताओं की लिस्ट छापी गई थी। उसमें भी सोनिया गांधी चौथे स्थान पर हैं।' बिजनेस इनसाइडर ' ने अपनी लिस्ट में सोर्स के रूप में वर्ल्ड्स लग्जरी गाइड का हवाला दिया है, जबकि सबसे नीचे लिखा गया है कि यह रिपोर्ट OpenSecrets.org, Forbes.com, Bloomberg.com, Wikipedia.org, Guardian.co.uk से मिली जानकारी के आधार पर तैयार की गई है। 

इस पर अभी तक कांग्रेस की ओर से कोई प्रतिक्रिया नहीं आई है, लेकिन सोशल नेटवर्किंग साइटों पर काफी चर्चा है। कुछ लोगों ने कांग्रेस की ओर से प्रतिक्रिया न आने पर सवाल खड़े किए हैं। कांग्रेस की ओर से प्रतिक्रिया की अपेक्षा इसलिए की जा रही है, क्योंकि सोनिया गांधी की ओर से घोषित की गई संपत्ति और लिस्ट में बताई गई संपत्ति में जमीन-आसमान का अंतर है। ऐसे में संभावना यह जताई जा रही है कि कांग्रेस पार्टी साइट के खिलाफ कानूनी कार्रवाई कर सकती है। 


with thanks : NBT : Link here for the detailed news.


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#4 Sonia Gandhi

Wikimedia Commons/Ricardo Stucker/PR

Net Worth: $2-19 billion

Residence: India

Position: President, Indian National Congress (political party)

Gandhi is originally from Italy. She is the widow of Rajiv Gandhi, the assassinated former prime minister. As leader of the Congress party, Gandhi played a key role in reviving the party's fortune and power.

Source: World's Luxury Guide (based on OpenSecrets.org, Forbes.com, Bloomberg.com, Wikipedia.org, Guardian.co.uk  


with thanks : LINK : Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/richest-politicians-in-the-world-2012-2#4-sonia-gandhi-20#ixzz1ozHw3mPR


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World Luxury Guide’s List of the World’s Richest Politicians

Name	Country	Position	Wealth
Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz	Saudi Arabia	King	$21 billion
Hassanal Bolkiah	Brunei	Sultan	$20 billion
Michael Bloomberg	USA	Mayor of New York	$18.1 billion
Sonia Gandhi	India	President, Indian National Congress (political party)	$2-19 billion
Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan	United Arab Emirates	President (And emir of Abu Dhabi)	$18 billion
Vladimir Putin	Russia	Prime Minister	$180,000-40 billion
Savitri Jindal	India	Member of the Legislative Assembly in  Haryana	$13.2 billion
Zong Qinghou	China	Member, National People’s Council	$10.8 billion
Serge Dassault	France	Senator	$8 billion
Silvio Berlusconi	Italy	Member of Parliament	$7.8 billion
Hans-Adam II	Liechtenstein	Prince	$4-7.6 billion
Wu Yajun	China	Member, National People’s Council	$6.67 billion
Suleiman Kerimov	Russia	Member, Federation Council (upper house ofDuma/parliament)	$5.5 billion
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum	United Arab Emirates	Prime Minister/ Vice President of United Arab Emirates; absolute monarch of Dubai	$4.5 billion
Sebastian Piñera	Chile	President	$2.5 billion
Lu Guanqiu	China	Member, National People’s Council	$2.4 billion
Andrei Molchanov	Russia	Member, Federation Council (upper house ofDuma/parliament)	$1.8  billion
Kostyantin Zhevago	Ukraine	Member of Parliament	$1.2 billion
Asif Ali Zardari	Pakistan	President	$1-$4 billion
Darrell Issa	USA	Member, House of Representatives	$195-700 million
Michael McCaul	USA	Member, House of Representatives	$258-380 million
Jane Harman	USA	Member, House of Representatives	$160-326 million
John Kerry	USA	Senator	$181-281 million
Sources: OpenSecrets.org, Forbes.com, Bloomberg.com, Wikipedia.org, Guardian.co.uk; Current as of March 2012 with thanks : LINK : http://www.worlds-luxury-guide.com/Luxury-News/433295/List-Worlds-Richest-Politicians

Govt gives nod for CAG audit of discoms’ accounts

Bowing to the clamour for scrutiny of the accounts of private power distribution companies operating in the city, the Delhi government has finally approved their audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

According to a cabinet note, the government sanctioned an audit of the three discoms — BSES Yamuna and Rajdhani, and NDPL — “since inception.”

The decision to get a CAG audit carried out was disclosed during a hearing in the Delhi High Court on Monday when its standing counsel Najmi Waziri adduced before the bench the note of cabinet approval.

This note forms a part of the same decision note wherein the government had given its consent to Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) to invest fresh equity worth Rs 500 crore in BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna. As per the note, the equity was infused to maintain the government’s 49 per cent stake in the shareholding pattern and to enable the companies to raise a loan from IDBI Bank.

“The government, in order to address the public concerns and also to carry forth their conviction in the transparent functioning of the discoms, has approved a CAG audit into the affairs of all three power distribution companies in Delhi,” Najmi Waziri informed the bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw.

Waziri further sought some time to put the government’s stand before the court by filing an affidavit and the court gave him a week’s time to do it.

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK for detailed news.