May step in if discoms create 'ugly' situation: CM to Lt Gov

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today conveyed to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung that if private discoms express inability to supply power due to financial difficulties, then there may not be any option with power regulator DERC but to suspend or revoke their licenses and take over the operation.
In a letter to Jung, Kejriwal informed his government's recommendation to Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission to revoke licenses of two BSES discoms if they fail to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
"I am bringing this most serious matter to your notice as the government itself may have to step in at some stage, to control the ugly situation which may be created by the three private discoms," he said, indicating government's readiness to take control of power distribution in the city.

Kejriwal told Jung that the extensive blackouts due to financial difficulties of discoms will not be acceptable at all.
Delhi government yesterday had recommended to DERC to revoke the license of BSES discoms if they they fail to pay dues to NTPC and resort to long outages in large parts of the city.
DERC chairman P D Sudhakar said the commission held a meeting with senior officials of the three discoms to find a solution to the "difficult situation".

"We are faced with a complex situation. But I am hopeful of a solution soon," Sudhakar told PTI. He said the DERC may help the discoms in arranging funds.

State-run power generator NTPC had on Saturday served notices of power supply suspension to the two Anil Ambani-owned distribution companies BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and said electricity supplies will be snapped if they do not clear their dues by February 10. BSES discoms supply power in nearly 70 per cent areas in the city.
Both the discoms have already said they were reeling under severe fund crunch due to which payments to NTPC could not be made.