SC to discoms: Give details of electricity supplied

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the private power distribution companies to file an affidavit on whether they provided metered electricity connection to unauthorised colonies, at bus shelters and for illuminating hoardings.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the private power distribution companies to file an affidavit on whether they provided metered electricity connection to unauthorised colonies, at bus shelters and for illuminating hoardings.

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A special bench headed by justice DK Jain wanted to know whether discoms had installed meters at the sites and the basis on which the bill was raised.

The affidavit should also contain details of what proportion of electricity was being supplied to them.

The court raised its query following Delhi government’s submission that it had surplus power supply to meet the demands of Delhiites. This claim was, however, refuted by the amicus curiae (assisting the court) who said the Capital was still witnessing power-cuts.

According to the Delhi government affidavit, filed through counsel Wasim Qadri, it has ensured surplus power supply till February 2012. As per the power consumption record of July, the Capital had 165 mega watt (MW) surplus power and for September, it has 937 MW of surplus power.

Delhi government defended sale of surplus power by discoms at a time when the demand is low. “Most of the sources are available on round-the-clock basis. Surplus power is left during the period when the demand is low. That surplus power available is disposed off through open access procedures and unscheduled interchange mechanism envisaged in relevant regulations of central/state electricity regulatory commissions,” the affidavit stated.

The government affidavit was filed before the bench, which is hearing a suo motu cognisance matter related to power crisis in Delhi. The bench has also asked the discoms to file their response to the government affidavit.