Industry cries foul over change of Chandigarh discom privatisation rules
Bidders have already submitted bids, and amendments to rules at this stage vitiate the sanctity of the entire process and sets a bad precedent for the future, says APP
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: Changes in bid conditions for privatisation of Chandigarh electricity distribution company, including allowing new bidders to submit bids after the last date, have irked the industry which has demanded immediate withdrawal of changed rules.
The Association of Power Producers (APP), which represents almost all private sector power producers, has shot off a strongly worded letter to the administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
It said bidders have already submitted bids, and amendments to rules at this stage vitiate the sanctity of the entire process and sets a bad precedent for the future.
Six large corporates - state-owned NTPC, Tata Power, Adani Transmission, Torrent Power, Sterlite Power and ReNew Power - had submitted bids to buy 100 per cent stake in the distribution company, which is responsible for distribution and retail supply of electricity in the UT of Chandigarh.
"The last date of bid submission was February 8, 2021, and the bid process attracted wide interest," APP wrote.
"However, it is extremely surprising that an amendment to the RFP (request for proposal) documents was issued on March 8, 2021, i.e after the last date of bid submission."
The amendment not only modifies certain clauses that would have an impact on the financial bid but also "allows new bidders to submit bids after the last date of bid submission has already passed", it said in the latter.
The copies of the letter was also marked to Power Minister R K Singh and Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
