NDPL moves Delhi HC for power tariff determination

New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Electricity distribution companyNorth Delhi Power Ltd(NDPL) today approached the High Courtfor a direction to the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission(DERC) to determine the tariff for the year 2010-11 and issuethe order expeditiously.

Filing an application before a division bench of ChiefJustice Dipak Misra and Justice Manmohan, NDPL said that dueto litigation in the court, NDPL--a joint venture of TATApower company and Delhi government--has been facing afinancial crisis.

The bench, which issued a notice to the petitioner for aresponse by January 21, was hearing a PIL accusing thegovernment of succumbing to pressure from discoms anddirecting the Commission not to issue a new tariff orderapproved by it for 2010-11.

According to the company, about 60-70 percent offinance goes towards power distribution and 10-12 percentgoes towards the maintenance, salaries of staff andadministrative expenses.

Earlier, the bench had rapped the city government andthe Commission for their ongoing tussle over fixing of newpower tariff for the national capital.

Attorney General G E Vahanvati, who assisted thecourt, had earlier said state government had no power tointerfere with a decision taken by DERC and could only issueguidelines which the Commission could consider.

The Bench had directed the members of DERC to convenea meeting and intimate it about their decision over thecurrent year''s approved tariff while making it clear that theCommission would inform if there was any dissenting opinion byany of its members.