: While the Reliance Infra-backed BSES discoms may have escaped a major hassle with NTPC deferring its decision of regulating power supply to them, another trouble seems to be looming large on them now. The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) is reviewing a proposal submitted by the Delhi government, which has sought approval for not making any payment to the two discoms for electricity bills of agencies like the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and others.
A senior official in the regulator said that the commission was “seriously” considering the proposal. Explaining the report, the official said, “What the government has sought cannot be deemed wrong. It has suggested that instead of paying electricity bills of its offices to discoms, the government shall pay directly to the State-run generation companies.” Sources said the government’s plan was to start with the bill of the DJB office in Jhandelwalan, which tends to be on the higher side.
BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna Power Limited — which supply power to almost 70 per cent of Delhi’s households— have dues amounting to over Rs. 8,000 crore on the Delhi Transco Limited, Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited, and Pragati Power Corporation Limited, all of which come under the Delhi government.
Govt. proposal
The Delhi government, however, has proposed that there be a common bank account of the government and discoms and the money deposited in the form of bills be withdrawn by the former.
The power regulator has decided to convene a meeting with all stakeholders next week to discuss on the issue. The discoms, however, maintain that the move is not possible as their supply agreements are with individual consumers and those are “legally binding” on them.
BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna Power Limited have dues amounting to over
Rs. 8,000 crore
