Ntpc Shutdown Illegal, Says Ereb

The Eastern Region Electricity Board (EREB) has informed the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) that any closure of NTPC power stations without proper notice to its consumers will be illegal.

The eastern region constituents, EREB has warned, will not pay for the fixed charge of closed NTPC generating plants during the period of shutdown.

The NTPC chairman, Rajendra Singh who met the Bengal power minister, S K Sen and the chief secretary, Manish Gupta on Tuesday to plead for quick liquidation of WBSEB's dues, was reportedly asked why NTPC resorts to coercive measures before the festive season every year.

Singh was also asked the uncomfortable question how he was continuing to supply power to the Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) which has piled up arrears of Rs 1650 crore. DVB draws power worth Rs 120 crore a month though its letter of credit (LC) is for Rs 90 crore only. While the board's annual power purchase is worth about Rs 1440 crore, the arrears including late payment surcharge is of Rs 1650 crore which is nearly 14 months' consumption.

Singh, however, had told the media that both DVB and UPSEB have arrears of about nine month while Bengal and Bihar have piled up arrears of 12 and 15 months respectively. Singh, of course, denied that his decision to shut down all eastern region power plants had anyhing to do with the political colour of the governments of Bihar, Bengal and Orissa.

However, the Bengal officials are accusing NTPC of penalising the non-BJP states while DVB and UPSEB are getting away for being ruled by BJP governments. The state government expressed its displeasure to Singh about NTPC's habit of regulating power supply just before the annual festive season every year. NTPC is threatening to go a step further this year by stopping all supply of power. Such methods of armtwisting will not help NTPC, said angry state officials. The corporation must choose its timings more carefully.