SC stays HC order directing Delhi govt to abide by DERC mandate

New Delhi, Aug 24 (UNI) The Supreme Court today stayed the order of Delhi High Court directing Delhi government to abide by the mandate/directions of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) and also to follow up with the secretariat of Delhi Assembly with regard to tabling of response of Delhi government to the report of Public Accounts Committee and then take a reasoned decision on the report of CAG on the issue of privatisation of power distribution in Delhi.

Delhi government today contended before the bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan that the impugned order of the High Court dated July 2, 2007 though upheld the validity of Delhi government notification dated December 22, 2001 regarding the reorganisation of erstwhile Delhi Vidyut Board but issued certain directions to the state government which are not proper.

The High Court in its order had also directed the state government to publicize the reasoned decision taken by the Delhi government on or before September 2 ,2007.

The CAG of India in its report had indicted Shiela Dikshit government for irregularties in the process of privatisation of the power distribution in the national capital.

The apex court also issued notices to central governmenmt, BSES, Rajdhani Power Limited , Yumana Power Limited, Delhi Transco Limited , North Delhi Power Limited and Gajendra Haldia on the petition filed by Delhi government.

Haldia was the petitioner in the High Court.

Delhi government has also contended that since the case was pending before the Supreme Court, the High Court should not have heared the petition.

Other judges on the bench were Justices Tarun Chatterjee and R V Raveendran.

UNI