Delhi snaps power supply to Haryana

CHANDIGARH, NOV 28: Delhi has shut off power supply to Haryana for non-payment of dues running into Rs 134 crore. The switch-off has resu...

CHANDIGARH, NOV 28: Delhi has shut off power supply to Haryana for non-payment of dues running into Rs 134 crore. The switch-off has resulted in crippling blackouts in Kundli (Sonepat) and the adjoining areas, with wheels in hundreds of units in the Kundli Industrial Estate coming to a screeching halt.

The Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) snapped power supply, about two lakh units a day, from its 220 KV sub-station at Narela early this week after the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) did not respond to its repeated requests for early settlement of outstanding payments. The disconnection of supply from the Narela sub-station, which feeds 33 KV sub-station of HVPN at Kundli, has led to power outages extending to 10-12 hours a day.

It is learnt that the HVPN had agreed "in principle" to pay the dues of Rs 138 crore in equal monthly instalments in four years, but it was not making even the current payments on time. "We tried to explain that we are in no position to continue power supply if payments were not madein time, but they did not seem to understand. We had no option but to snap supply," said a senior official of DVB on the condition of anonymity.

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The authorities are trying to meet the demand through 11 KV feeder of the Bhakra Beas Management Board, but the supply is not adequate. The DVB supplies about eight lakh units of power from Indraprastha Power Station (with three units of 62.5 megawatt each) in which Haryana has a share. Of this, about six lakh units are drawn by HVPN from the Northern Grid. The remaining two lakh units were being supplied directly through the Narela sub-station.

Haryana Power Department officials have accused the DVB of using "improper pressure tactics", adding they can also retaliate by snapping supply to Delhi from Bhakra if the shut-off continues. But it is unlikely to happen for the ruling party does not appear to be keen to have a stand-off with the Centre on this issue.

However, the switch-off may just prove to be the beginning of trouble for Chief Minister Om PrakashChautala as two more power suppliers – the National Thermal Power corporation (NTPC) and the National Hydro Power Corporation (NTPC) – have issued a warning to the State Government. Both NTPC and NHPC have indicated that they may be constrained to snap supply for non-payment of dues and regular default on current payments.

The HVPN owes Rs 360 crore to NHPC and Rs 173 crore to NTPC. It owes Rs 45 crore to Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC), Rs 33 crore to Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Rs 10 crore to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) and Rs 4 crore to Maruti Udyog limited (MUL). These companies are also equally upset over the delay in payment and are pressing the transmission corporation for early settlement.

Though the EC’s media invitation did not specify the subject, officials said the briefing would pertain to the SIR schedule. (File)

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