The Anil Ambani-controlled distribution companies (Discoms) in Odisha are mulling over the option to challenge theTuesday order of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (ATE) refusing interim relief to restore status-quo on the issue of revocation of their power distribution licences by the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), sources said.
ATE Chairperson Justice Ranjana P Desai and Technical Member Rakesh Nath dismissed the interim application of the Discoms, saying, “It is not possible for us to grant any mandatory interim relief to the appellants (Discoms) and restore status-quo ante. The interim application is therefore, dismissed.”
However, the two-member bench made it clear that its rejection for interim stay would not have any bearings on “the merits of the case”. The Reliance Infra-managed Discoms had filed two applications, one challenging the order of OERC to rest management and control of its three Discoms along with the assets and interests with the Gridco’s CMD.
Besides, the Discoms had moved the ATE contesting the March 4 order of the OERC to revoke the licences of the three companies, Nesco, Wesco and Southco on the grounds of non-satisfactory performance, failure to contain steep aggregate technical & commercial (AT&C) losses and consistent defaults in payment of bulk power supply price.
Senior counsel appearing for the Discoms Kapil Sibal even submitted before the ATE that if this court is not inclined to restore status-quo ante, the officers of the appellants may be permitted to work under the direction of the Administrator.
The ATE did not accept the suggestions, saying, “We are also of the opinion that in the circumstances of the case such an arrangement is not desirable and also not feasible.” It also disbanded the Central Services Office (CSO), the umbrella organisation of Reliance Infra for power distribution operation in the State.