AVERAGE BILLING RATE OF ELECTRICITY IS HIGHEST IN DELHI, CLAIMS CONGRESS
PANAJI: The Congress Party on Thursday slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for misguiding the people of Goa about Kejriwal model of electricity and stated that the Average Billing (ABR) was highest in Delhi.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) media cell convenor Trajano D’Mello said that the truth of power sector in Delhi is that Average Billing Rate (ABR) is the highest among other States. In 2018-2019, the ABR was Rs 8.45 as compared to Rs 7.36 in 2013-2014. Thus, the power tariff increased by Rs 1.09 in the last five years.
Comparing the ABR with other places in the country in the last fiscal year, the ABR was Rs 6.59 in Madhya Pradesh, Rs 6.63 in Punjab, Rs 7.04 in Rajasthan, Rs 7.05 in Haryana and Rs 7.37 in Bengaluru. The ABR includes fixed charges and variable charges, Trajano said.
He said that unemployment rate is 25 per cent at the national whereas it is 44 per cent in Delhi. He also claimed that VAT and Excise in Delhi is the highest in the country.
Trajano alleged that the Aam Admi Party leaders are using diversionary tactics and focusing on electricity charges and refraining from attacking the BJP on coal transportation. AAP burns coal, which is highly polluting in Delhi to produce electricity and is supporting the BJP on coal in Goa.
The Congress leader charged that AAP is an arm of the BJP and working on whims and fancies of the BJP.
Trajano said topiwalas (AAP) are now feeling shy to wear the topi (cap). He also held them responsible for putting anonymous posters in the 2017 Goa Assembly elections.
Srinivas Khalap who was also present demanded to know why companies like Adani bringing coal to India and selling it to Government of India, when Coal India itself could bring it?” He said MPT is taking Goan coastline to dump coal. The debate should be on coal handling and not electricity charges, he said adding that Congress would like to join the debate.