SC not satisfied with Delhi Govt's affidavit on power crisis

The Supreme Court on Friday has expressed its dissatisfaction over the steps taken by the Delhi government to overcome the power crisis in the national capital. "You have only given data about future (2009-10) but have not talked about today's situation," a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said when it was pointed out that the affidavit filed by the Delhi Government has not addressed the issue of possibility of alternative source of power generation. "The affidavit filed by Delhi Government only gives what would be the position subsequently. There is nothing about 2008," senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae in the matter, said. He said that the affidavit only talks about future, i.e 2010 when there was a shortfall of over 1000 MW of power for this year. The counsel said Delhi Government should purchase power so that the city which was facing power cut of three to four hours everyday due to shortfall of 500 MW did not suffer. However, Delhi Government counsel Ashok Bhan said power shortage was a national crisis and it has to be handled step by step. His submission that Delhi has a peculiar problem did not impress the Bench which asked the authorities to file a status report within three weeks on the power generation, supply and its distribution. The Bench was not happy with Bhan's submission that Delhi Government was to respond only about the power stations in the capital. The court on 8th January had sought details on power generation, distribution and shortfalls after it was pointed out that there was a shortage of around 800 MW in the city which was going to cross 1000-MW mark in the next year. The Court had sought details on power generation, distribution and shortfalls after it was pointed out that there was a shortage of around 800 MW in the city and it was likely to cross the 1000-MW mark in the next financial year. It was contended that there was a shortage in power generation and there was a lack of planning for handling the crisis as two power generating units were not functioning due to shortage of gas. The Court had also sought a response from the government on its plan to meet the power demand in the city as around 1,500 unauthorised colonies are proposed to be regularised in accordance with the Master Plan 2020.

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