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Private Discoms Unfazed Despite NTPC Notices

  • Reliance Energy-owned power distribution companies (BRPL and BYPL) remain unfazed even after being slapped with stern notices from the state generating company, NTPC.The private discoms are optimistic that the financial backing from the Government will be able to ease their way through the situation. NTPC has threatened saying that the power supply to the discoms will be stopped if they don’t cough up their outstanding dues by December 7 (midnight).PD Sudhakar, Chairman, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), said, “According to my information, the discoms have reached an understanding with the state-run power generator, to grant them more time. We will receive formal reply on the matter including that of pending dues with other gencos and transmission companies will be given on December 7. A formal hearing will be carried out on the same day at 3 pm at the DERC office.”
  • The two discoms hold the responsibility of distributing power to 70 per cent households of the Capital, which may have to bear the brunt of BSES inability to clear its dues. The NTPC notices, which were issued on December 1, followed the DERC notices, which threatened the companies of punitive action. As per the notices issued, the two discoms have an outstanding bill of Rs 195.48 crore with the state-run genco.NTPC supplies over 2,000 MW power to the BRPL and BYPL and had asked them to renew their letter of credit (LC) or that supply would be suspended. BRPL has outstanding dues of Rs 121 crore and BYPL Rs 74 crore, sources said. BSES, however, is optimistic that the matters will be sorted out amicably. A BSES spokesperson said, “We are confident of getting the matter resolved. BSES will ensure uninterrupted power supply to its consumers in Delhi.”
  • Apart from that, BSES and BRPL have an outstanding amount worth Rs 300 crore to be cleared with nine other gencos and transcos. “A clear picture of how the companies will clear their dues, including the generation of funds from alternate sources and Government’s intervention, will be presented on December 7 itself. However, we are confident that there will be no disruption of power supply to the consumers,” added Sudhakar.

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