Power distribution companies do not want to be under public scrutiny

New Delhi, Jan 31 (UNI) The BSES Yamuna Power Ltd has challenged the decision of the Central Information Commission(CIC) declaring the three private electricity distribution companies (discoms) in the Capital as ''public entities'' exposing their functioning to the public scrutiny under the Right to Information(RTI) Act.

In a petition, the BSES Yamuna Power Ltd has sought the direction of the High Court staying the operation of the decision of the CIC pronounced in November 30, 2006 declaring the private discoms--New Delhi Power Ltd(NDPL), BSES Yamuna Power Ltd(BYPL) and BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd(BRPL) --as public entities.

Justice S K Kaul issued notices to the CIC and Delhi Government to file their replies to the allegations in the petition and passed stay orders for the execution of the impugned order till March 28, the next date of hearing.

''The CIC failed to deal with and take note of the material on record including that the discoms had been duly incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 as limited companies on July 4, 2001 and could not be under the perview of the RTI Act,'' said the petition filed by Advocate Amit Kapur for the petitioner.

The CIC had pronounced the decision in response to an application filed by Sarabjit Roy, a power consumer, who had sought information about the functioning and financial position of the discoms.

Acting on the order of the CIC, the Delhi Government had directed the discoms to appoint public information officers and Appellate Authority in their respective organisations as required under the Act.

The discoms said they didn't fall under the purview as they were not substantially financed by the Centre or the Delhi Government.

UNI