The Hindu : Reliance postpones renaming of discoms

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Reliance postpones renaming of discoms

By Lalit K. Jha

NEW DELHI, FEB. 24. Literally conceding that their performance has been "far below" their own standards, the Reliance Energy (earlier BSES) has decided not to immediately change the names of its two discoms - the BSES Yamuna Power Limited and the BSES Rajdhani Power Limited -- in the Capital.

The process of rechristening has been put on hold till the two discoms - responsible for electricity distribution in two-thirds of the Capital - not only improved their efficiency, but also the quality and reliability of power supply by 70 per cent. While BSES Yamuna Power Limited is responsible for distribution of electricity in Central and East Delhi, the BSES Rajdhani Power Limited caters to the needs of South and South-West Delhi.

It is understood that that the Reliance Energy chairman, Anil Ambani, has set a deadline for the discom officials to improve their performance by at least 70 per cent this summer. "It is only after there is improvement in the quality of power supply and comfortability in services that we would like to include Reliance in the names of discoms,'' sources in the company said. The two discoms have been at the receiving end from the consumers mainly because of the large-scale error in power bills and also due to slow improvement in its services and quality of power supply.

"Last summer was an improvement from previous year. This year also consumers would experience a better supply position from last summer, even as we cannot promise that all would be perfect this year,'' the official said.

"The name Reliance has its own significance. We want that our consumers should feel the difference whenever the names of the discoms here is changed to Reliance Energy,'' sources said, adding that the two discoms were working hard in this regard so that the performance standards fixed by top bosses were arrived at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Reliance Energy has intimated the Delhi Government about its intention to change the name of the two discoms. "The Delhi Government has 49 per cent share in the discoms. So we have to take permission from the Delhi Government. Then there is lot of processes involved. All this would take quite some time,'' sources argued.

At the same time, officials declined to reveal what the new names of the two companies would be. "Certainly they would have the tag of the Reliance Energy, rest we are yet to decide,'' sources said.

The name of BSES was formally changed to Reliance Energy only a few days ago, the announcement of which was splashed in all major newspapers today.

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