: With the city’s distribution companies repeatedly defaulting in paying their dues, cash-strapped Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) is counting on Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Limited for funds to complete critical projects.
According to sources in the transmission utility, the DTL has sought a loan worth Rs. 800 crore from the PFC for completing three projects. The latter pertain to cable laying in Rajghat, Dwarka and Tughlakabad.
The chief spokesperson of DTL acknowledged the fact that the company had approached the PFC for funds, but maintained that no money has been received yet. “In order to complete our pending projects, we are in touch with the PFC for funds, but the money has not yet come to us. The talks are on,” said Rishi Raj Bhati, chief spokesperson, DTL.
Only last month, the transmission company had raised an alarm about the acute shortage of funds because of which it also warned of power cuts during peak summers. Irked over continuous non-payment of dues on the part of Reliance-backed BSES power distribution companies, the state-run DTL had said that it might have to regulate electricity supply to BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) discoms which cater to 67 per cent consumers in the Capital.
Even the Delhi government had directed the BSES power discoms to immediately clear dues of Rs. 1958 crore to DTL, and warned of punitive action if the payment was not made, but to no avail.
“They (BRPL and BYPL) are unwilling to pay stating that the matter is sub judice . We hope that something comes out in the next hearing at the Supreme Court on April 25,” added Mr. Bhati.
The BRPL has to pay Rs. 1,171 crore to DTL, while BYPL owes Rs. 787 crore to the power utility which maintains all power transmission networks in the city.
Due to the non-payment, work on new projects and carrying out operations efficiently have stopped, the official added.
