Power distribution companies like British colonisers, claims minister

Delhi power minister Satyendar Jain on Monday likened the discoms with the British colonisers, asserting that it was only sector where profit margin is 16 per cent despite “inefficiency”. He also questioned the purchase agreements with the discoms in which there can be “no negotiations.”

“Even if the (power) plant life is over, the power-purchase agreement is still extended. There can be no negotiations in the power-purchase agreement,” Mr Jain said. Price variations are 1,000 times more in the power sector, he said, citing examples of power generation where price per unit from Bhakra Nangal Hydroelectric Power Project is as low as 22 paisa while some sources have power costing Rs 10 per unit.

“How can people be looted First you colonise an area. The British came and colonised (the country). This is not possible today. It’s difficult to control anyone physically in today’s time. Today, there are necessary items, or items which have been made necessary. Electricity has become a necessity. Even the poor or rich cannot live without it. So people pay it quietly. These are not answers, but questions that I have,” the minister said.