Friday, September 9 2005 10:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, was yesterday (Sept 8, 2005) pulled up by the Congress high command at the party's Coordination Committee meeting for seeming to side with the private power distributing companies (Discoms), particularly on her initial decision not to roll back power tariff hike.

The party High Command, however, appeared to have given her time to ensure that the Discoms improved the power situation and addressed the grievances of people, including fast meters and incorrect billing.

At the two-and-a half hour deliberations over the power crisis in the capital, AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot conveyed his displeasure to Dikshit, pointing out that she appeared to be defending the Discoms, party sources said.

In this context, she was criticised for declaring initially that there would be no roll back of power tariff hike even as there was all round uproar in Delhi.

The Chief Minister was told that her Government should project itself to be with the people and not with the private power companies, they said after the meeting attended by her two Cabinet ministers, DPCC President Ram Babu Sharma, AICC Secretary Ajay Maken, besides Dikshit and Gehlot.

On the issue of Government subsidy to the discoms for the roll back of power tariff hike, it was emphasised that the provision should be just for one year.

"The subsidy is being given for this financial year only.

And the power discoms will be told to reduce AT&C losses and improve efficiency so that there will be no burden on the citizens," Gehlot told reporters after the meeting.