Power cuts threaten Delhi

8 Feb BBC

Media are worried that Delhi may face extensive power cuts from Monday if a key distribution firm does not resolve a dispute with the country’s top power producer, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

NTPC has threatened to cut supplies if BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), a distribution company for large parts of the Indian capital, does not clear its dues.BSES has now asked the Supreme Court to rule on the matter.

The Times of India reports that if the court does not resolve the issue soon, then “south and south-west Delhi face the prospect of a 50% power cut after 10 February, the deadline given by NTPC”.

Since January, distribution companies have been locked in conflict with the Delhi government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).The AAP came to power last month after winning elections with promises to clamp down on corruption. The party also said it would cut the cost of electricity, a pledge it has upheld for some consumers.

But this has led to conflict with distribution companies, who say “they will be forced to black out large parts of Delhi because low tariffs leave them with no money to buy electricity”, the Economic Times explains.”The consumer may be the biggest casualty” in the spat, the paper warns.