Tribunal rejects Reliance discoms’ plea

Bhubaneswar: In a major setback to Reliance Infrastructure Limited, the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity has dismissed its interim application challenging the revocation its licenses by the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC).

“Under the provisions of the Odisha Electricity Act, the three private distribution companies had moved the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity against revocation of licenses by OERC. However, the tribunal has dismissed their interim plea,” informed Reliance Infra’s advocate Ritwik Panda.

The OERC on March 5 revoked the licences of three power distribution companies – Southco, Wesco and Nesco – managed by the company.

The commission has cited unsatisfactory performance, non-compliance of its orders, poor energy audit, failure in controlling technical and commercial losses, billing inefficiency and non-payment of arrears as the reasons behind scrapping the licences of these discoms.

After withdrawal of licenses the OERC appointed the CMD of Gridco as the administrator of these companies.