Chandigarh Administration steps up process to privatise Power Dept

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 2

The UT Administration has stepped up the process for privatisation of the Electricity Department, with the Empowered Committee examining the recommendations of the Technical Bids Evaluation Committee.

The Evaluation Committee of the Administration has prepared a final report on the strengths and weaknesses of different technical bids received.

After analysing the recommendations of the Evaluation Committee, the Empowered Committee would prepare its report and give it to UT Administrator VP Singh Bandore for approval, said sources in the department.

The process to open the financial bids will start after getting the consent of the Administrator, the sources added.

After the approval, the Union Cabinet will endorse the recommendation of the UT and then only a firm will be selected to take over the Electricity Department.

On November 9, 2020, the UT Engineering Department had invited bids for privatisation of the Electricity Department.

Seven companies, including Sterlite Power, ReNew Wing Energy, NESCL (NTPC), Adani Transmission Ltd, Tata Power, Torrent Power and Eminent Electricity Power Company had submitted their bids.

However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had on December 1, 2020, stayed the tendering process regarding privatisation of the Electricity Department after the UT Powermen Union had approached the court.

The petitioner had contended that they were aggrieved by the decision of the government to privatise the electricity department by selling 100 per cent stake of the government in the absence of any provision under Section 131 of the Electricity Act, 2003.