Delhi govt seeks Centre’s guarantee for discom loan package
The Delhi state government has written to the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) seeking central government guarantee for the Rs 15,500-crore loan sought by the power distribution companies (discoms) operating in the national capital. The Delhi discoms are requesting the loan under the Rs 90,000-crore scheme announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to inject liquidity into the electricity sector as a part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ package.
As a condition laid down by power sector lenders PFC-REC, the loan to the discoms is to be backed by state government guarantees. “In this regard, it is to inform that the Govt. of Union Territories and Govt. of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2001, does not empower Delhi government to give any guarantee for any loan taken by discoms,” Delhi’s letter to MHA, reviewed by FE, pointed. TPDDL and BSES, the power distribution units of Tata Power and Reliance Infrastructure, respectively, supply power in the national capital and the state government holds 49% stake in these entities.
