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New Delhi:  The state-run power generation company National
Thermal Power Corporation or NTPC today gave a supply
suspension notice to BSES Rajdhani and BYPL, two of the three
distributing firms or discoms in Delhi, from February 11.
NTPC says while BSES Rajdhani has not maintained a letter of
credit of Rs. 271 crore, which is needed to get supply of power
from its power stations, BYPL has an outstanding of Rs. 179 crore.
If the companies are not able to settle their dues within the
stipulated time, it could lead to lengthy power cuts in East and
Central Delhi.
The notice comes a day after another discom, BSES which is
backed by Anil Ambani's Reliance Infra, said it no longer has the
money to buy electricity from NTPC. NTPC says it is owed more
than 150 crores till the month of December by BSES.
On Saturday, power prices were increased in Delhi by 6 to 8 per
cent.
The BJP today protested against the hike in the national capital.
"(Arvind) Kejriwal-led AAP had promised that after forming the
government, they will reduce power price. Instead power tariff has
increased by six to eight percent," said BJP Delhi unit chief Vijay
Goel. (Read more)
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal derided the discoms for "blackmail".
(Read more) He said these companies fudge their accounts to show
losses. He also attacked the price hike, describing it as "a burden
on the people" imposed pre-maturely. (Read Delhi government's
school)
The threat of lengthy power cuts comes in the midst of exam
season. "I usually study at night. Now if there is a power cut, how
will I manage? My career depends on how well I do in these
exams," said Shreya, who is readying for her Class 12 board exams.
Power distribution in Delhi was privatised in 2003. Since then,
discoms have complained they are losing thousands of crores
because they are forced to provide electricity at below-market
rates.
Mr Kejriwal, who took over as chief minister of Delhi last month,
has asked the national auditor to study the accounts of the three
power companies.
Within days of taking office, he delivered on a pre-poll guarantee of
halving the price of electricity till March 31.