Discom denies DVC’s allegation

One of the two private power distribution companies of Delhi, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, has denied Damodar Valley Corporation’s (DVC) allegations of selling power to the utilities outside the Capital to earn huge amounts of money.

One of the two private power distribution companies of Delhi, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, has denied Damodar Valley Corporation’s (DVC) allegations of selling power to the utilities outside the Capital to earn huge amounts of money.

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In two separate affidavits before the Supreme Court, the discom has claimed that selling surplus power is unavoidable “among all distribution licensees across the country, since electricity cannot be stored.”

Justifying its action of selling power, the discom said what is sold is surplus power, that is available with it during non-peak hours, when demand slackens.

“The actual requirement of (the) Discom varies at different times of the day as well as at different times of the year, depending upon various factors such as weather conditions, seasons... It is only in such circumstances, when supply exceeds the demand, that the surplus power, which cannot be stored, is sold,” the affidavit read.

Taking note of the affidavit, the SC bench, headed by Justice DK Jain, directed Delhi Government to file its response.
The court is hearing a case related to power crisis in the Capital. In its affidavit before SC, DVC had alleged that discoms in Delhi have been selling power outside the state and earning large amounts of money.

DVC is one of the sources from where Delhi draws power. DVC had further claimed that the discoms had drawn less power than its allocated quantum during 2010-2011.

It sought a direction to the Delhi utilities, not to insist on power supply from DVC, as the corporation was itself facing acute shortage in the supply of power in the Damodar Valley area.

BSES countered DVC’s stand as misleading and accused the corporation of failing to supply power to BSES, forcing the discom to purchase electricity at high rates and effecting huge financial burden on its consumers.