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DPC removed plant components illegally, MSEB tells HC

Maharashtra State Electricity Board on Wednesday alleged before the Bombay high court that Dabhol Power Company had removed the e-chips and coded compact discs of the 2,184-mw idle power plant in Guhagar, which are core for its functioning.

MSEB counsel Aspi Chinoy further alleged that DPC has despatched these critical software components 'illegally' outside India to its headquarters at Houston in the US.

He was submitting arguments in response to a petition filed by DPC challenging the jurisdiction of Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission to adjudicate its dispute over non-payment of dues with MSEB.

Although MSEB was on DPC's board, the multinational did not bother to inform the utility about the development.

Making counter submissions DPC counsel P Chidambaram said newspaper reports in this regard were exaggerated and that he had not received any instructions from the erstwhile energy major in this regard.

"Of course, MSEB has written a letter to DPC and we are in the process of sending a reply. I will make submissions on this issue after taking instructions from my client," he said.

Chidambaram also contented that the issue before the court was that of MERC's jurisdiction and not DPC's alleged decision of removing the critical components of the plant to a secure location.

Justices Ajit Shah and Vijaya Tahilramani observed that the court was concerned with MSEB's allegations because they have submitted an affidavit in this regard.

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