Non-payment by BSES set to plunge us into power crisis
24 Aug 2013 5:12 AM IST
The newly-appointed principal secretary power in Delhi government Rajni Kant Verma on Thursday summoned chief executive officers of BSES (Yamuna and Rajdhani) and handed them over a 72-hour-notice to make part payment of Rs 3,400 crore outstanding to two Delhi government-owned power generation and distribution companies – Pragati Power Corporation Limited (PPCL), Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited (IPGCL) as well as to Delhi Transco Limited.
According to sources, the power secretary conveyed to the CEOs that in case of non-payment, there was likelihood of shutdown of the government-run power generation and distribution units, which could plunge the city into a power crisis. A senior power department official said there was a huge outstanding against Anil Ambani-owned BSES to the tune of Rs 3,400 crore. Out of this, Rs 2,700 crore is due towards the two generation companies – PPCL and IPGCL. In addition, BSES owes Rs 700 crore to the Delhi Transco Limited. Sources said, the payment crisis has arisen as the banks have so far refused to fund the huge bill either loan or overdraft given the poor track record of BSES.
On the other hand, the third private power distribution company – Tata Power – has no outstanding against its account. While Tata Power distributes power in North Delhi, BSES distributes in trans-Yamuna and South Delhi areas. Power in Lutyens’ Delhi is distributed by government-owned New Delhi Municipal Council.
A few months back, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit had a written a letter to Anil Ambani, chairman of Reliance Infrastructure which runs two BSES power distribution companies, and expressed her displeasure at the non-payment of dues to the government.
According to sources, the power secretary conveyed to the CEOs that in case of non-payment, there was likelihood of shutdown of the government-run power generation and distribution units, which could plunge the city into a power crisis. A senior power department official said there was a huge outstanding against Anil Ambani-owned BSES to the tune of Rs 3,400 crore. Out of this, Rs 2,700 crore is due towards the two generation companies – PPCL and IPGCL. In addition, BSES owes Rs 700 crore to the Delhi Transco Limited. Sources said, the payment crisis has arisen as the banks have so far refused to fund the huge bill either loan or overdraft given the poor track record of BSES.
On the other hand, the third private power distribution company – Tata Power – has no outstanding against its account. While Tata Power distributes power in North Delhi, BSES distributes in trans-Yamuna and South Delhi areas. Power in Lutyens’ Delhi is distributed by government-owned New Delhi Municipal Council.
A few months back, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit had a written a letter to Anil Ambani, chairman of Reliance Infrastructure which runs two BSES power distribution companies, and expressed her displeasure at the non-payment of dues to the government.
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