New Delhi:
Rejecting the contention of private power distributors, the Delhi government today ordered an audit of their finances by the government's national auditor or Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), fulfilling yet another election promise of the Aam Aadmi Party.
"We have ordered an audit of the private power distribution companies. The CAG has said it will do the audit," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. He also said Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung's order on the audit of the companies will go to CAG Shashi Kant Sharma tomorrow.
The Delhi Government had given time to the three companies - BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd - till this morning to give their views on why there should not be a CAG audit of their companies.
Asked what the companies have told the government, Mr Kejriwal said they had given numerous reasons but not one reason why the audit should not be done. He added that the auditing will cover from the days the power distribution was privatised.
He also rejected the view that the matter was sub-judice and the decision cannot be taken. "The matter has been in the High Court and proceedings are on. No stay has been granted. Even now the proceedings can go on."
On complaints about the defective quality of power meters, the Chief Minister said the government would approach IIT Delhi and Delhi College of Engineering for suggestion to improve the quality of meters.
Mr Kejriwal said there had been constant demand for auditing of the private power distribution companies and the previous government was "misleading" the people saying the matter was in the court.
"What the previous government could not do in four years, we have done in four days," he said.
Asked about BJP leader Arun Jaitley's criticism that his government was taking populist measures with short-term objectives, Mr Kejriwal said people can argue about the quantity of water to be supplied free but any civilised government has a duty to provide it.
Yesterday, Mr Kejriwal had announced 50 per cent subsidy to those consumers whose monthly consumption does not cross 400 units. Those who consume more will pay for the entire supply. Halving the capital's electricity bills was one of Mr Kejriwal's major pre-poll promises.