Residents of Delhi may go “power less” as the battle between power distribution utilities and the Delhi Government took a political turn.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the Tatas (TPDDL) and the Ambanis (Anil Ambani-led BSES), who run three distribution firms in Delhi, were not the only companies in the country and that his Government was willing to bring in new players.
Kejriwal was reacting to the communication from BSES Yamuna Power of a likelihood of load shedding of up to 8 to 10 hours in East and Central Delhi. The utility claims to have no funds to make payments to NTPC or NHPC for power supplies in January 2014.
BSES Yamuna, which was supposed to clear its dues with NTPC by Friday, was yet to make a payment.
Meanwhile, NTPC has turned down a request from the Delhi Government asking it to extend the payment schedule for Delhi discoms.
In fact, NTPC asked the State Government to intervene and ensure that BSES Yamuna Power clears its bills worth ₹179.68 crore by January 31.
“Failing this NTPC will be left with no other option but to regulate power supply,” the company told the Government.
BJP threat Not to be left behind, BJP has threatened to intensify its bijli andolan (power agitation), while Kejriwal continued accusing power distribution companies of “blackmail”.
Power supply is set to become a major issue in the run-up to the general elections likely to be held in April-May.
Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel said his party will organise an agitation in the Bhajanpura area of East Delhi which is already facing long hours of power cuts.
He blamed Kejriwal for using the emotive issue of power tariff to launch his election campaign.
“The BJP had promised a 30 per cent decrease in the power tariff and 24-hour, uninterrupted power supply. What Kejriwal has done is to announce a subsidy without consulting the assembly.
They have not sat down with the power distribution companies to sort out issues like a mature government but used threats.
The result is that the consumers are going to suffer,” Goel said.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal, warned the discoms of strict action including possible cancellation of licenses.
“There are no reasons for power cuts. I want to give them a warning that if they try to create panic in future, the Government will take strict action against them,” Kejriwal said.