Delhi: Discoms threaten 10-hour power cut, Kejriwal calls it blackmail

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused BSES discoms of trying to “blackmail” the government by threatening power cuts upto 10 hours a day, and warned them of strict action including possible cancellation of licenses. The Chief Minister also said Tatas and Ambanis, who run three electricity distribution firms in Delhi, were not the only companies in the country and government was willing to bring new players. [caption id=“attachment_1368455” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. AFP[/caption] “There are no reasons for power cuts. I want to give them a warning that if they try to create panic in future, the government will take strict action against them,” Kejriwal said as Reliance Infra-backed BSES warned the government of 8-10 hours power cuts a day beginning Saturday citing a fund crunch. Dismissing any valid reasons for such extreme steps, the Chief Minister said there were so many question marks over the discoms account. “They are not cooperating in CAG audit, which raises further suspicion. The government will not keep quite. The government will not hesitate in cancelling their licences,” he said while assuring the people that there was no possibility of power cuts. “Power companies are indulging in wrong doings to create panic they are trying to blackmail us,” he said. Referring to a meeting called by the chief secretary with power companies, Kejriwal said, “We will bring other companies. There are not only two companies in the country. Companies run by Tata and Ambanis are not the only companies. There are other companies (who can distribute power in Delhi).” PTI