Discoms ‘sense’ DERC notification as AAP’s influence

New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) In the wake of the DelhiElectricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) notification oncompensation for unscheduled outages, power discoms areapparently sensing a "disturbing" trend of the AAP governmenttrying to "influence" the power regulator. Tata Power discom (TPDDL) has already filed a petitionwith the DERC challenging the notification that still awaitsthe nod of Lt Governor Najeeb Jung even as a senior governmentofficial yesterday said the High Court verdict will not affectthe notification issued by the power regulator. Power experts have also cited "practical difficulties"towards implementing the order. It will require replacing theexisting meters, numbering around 50 lakh, with smart meterswhich may entail investment of a few thousand crores as theycost multiple times more than the existing ones. "Delhi government influencing the ‘independent’ regulatorraises a very disturbing trend of attempt to influence DERC.This is against the spirit of the Electricity Act, 2003. Thebasis of the power reforms was to establish the independenceof the regulator and to limit the interference of the stategovernment," a source said. The DERC had issued the order, which includes making thediscoms liable to pay Rs 100/hour to customers in case ofpower cuts exceeding two hours, following directions from thecity government in this regard. The Delhi High Court had recently quashed the directionsof the government where prior approval of the LG was not takenbefore issuing them although it did not affect thenotification issued by DERC. Experts also pointed towards section 57 of the ElectricityAct, 2003 which says that before determination ofcompensation, the licensee (discoms) concerned shall be givenreasonable opportunity of being heard and that automaticimposition of compensation by way of regulation is "notpossible". While the government has pulled up the BSES discoms overtheir "atrocious" performances, the Reliance ADAG-ownedcompany has blamed power theft and its inability to augmentinfrastructure like installing sub-stations despite repeatedreminders to the authorities concerned to provide land. The city’s power sector was privatised in 2002. PTI SBRKIS ZMNKIS