Lease, lies & power plays: DERC's Rs 2 lakh-a-month rent row sparks audit alarm
A controversy has emerged over the allotment of
lease rent facilities
to senior officials of the
Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission
(DERC), with the Accountant General (Audit) raising serious concerns about procedural violations and potential misuse of public funds, reported TOI.
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Former DERC member
AK Ambasht
has been specifically named in the audit findings.
Ambasht, who served as a DERC member from December 30, 2019, to August 1, 2023, said he opted for the lease rent facility after receiving formal communication from the DERC secretary, and that the proposal was approved by the commission following 'due deliberations and discussions.'
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Prior to the lease rent option, Ambasht was entitled to a
house rent allowance
(HRA).
However, according to TOI, an October 2024 audit report from the Accountant General stated that his appointment order clearly outlined eligibility for HRA at 30% of his basic pay for accommodation in Delhi, and explicitly stated that no house would be allotted.
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If a leased accommodation was to be availed, the entitlement was to be decided by the Delhi government, the report added.
The audit flagged a September 30, 2021, office order in which the commission unilaterally approved leased accommodation for its chairman and members at a rate of Rs 2 lakh per month—without obtaining approval from the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (
GNCTD
).
"However, the commission, vide office order dated Sept 30, 2021, approved leased accommodation facilities to the chairman/members and determined an entitlement of Rs 2 lakh per month without the approval of GNCTD,' the report noted.
"The same is in violation of Section 89 (1) of Electricity Act and Rule 21 (2) of the General Financial Rules. It is pertinent to mention that behind the veil of commission, it is the chairman and members of the commission who have approved leased accommodation facilities for themselves,' the audit further said.
TOI further reported that the audit has recommended recovering the lease rent amount from Ambasht along with applicable interest, and called for similar scrutiny of other cases involving current or former members.
In a February 3, 2025, reply to the audit, Ambasht denied any wrongdoing, saying he neither initiated nor drafted the lease rent proposal, said the TOI report.
He clarified that he merely participated in commission discussions and gave his consent based on the agenda placed before the body."I have a limited role in the subject matter, being a part of the decision-making process of the commission. Further, I happen to be one of the beneficiaries of the aforesaid decision of the commission,' he wrote, accordin to the TOI report.
Ambasht further claimed he was being unfairly targeted: "It appears that the case pertaining to the payment of the lease rent to me only was singled out and the same was placed before the audit with mala fide intentions by the officials of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission.'
The Accountant General (Audit) has urged DERC to treat the matter seriously, investigate similar cases involving other officials, and report them to the GNCTD for possible action regarding misuse of power and public funds.
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