With long outages threatening to become a major political issue ahead of the Assembly polls, a worried Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has asked Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Infrastructure which runs two power distribution companies in the city, to take steps to “rectify” the problem and ensure round-the-clock electricity supply.

In a letter to Mr. Ambani, Ms. Dikshit said the power supply by BSES Yamuna Power Ltd. (BYPL) and BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. (BRPL) has “worsened”. She asked him to take remedial measures at the earliest.

The Chief Minister said she was “shocked” to know that the two discoms run by Reliance Infrastructure owed dues of Rs. 3,337 crore to two Delhi Government-run power generation and transmission companies.

“In fact, the power supply situation would have been much worse but for the generosity shown to the discoms in the interest of consumers by the companies owned by the Delhi Government. When the actual amount of outstanding dues came to my notice, I was shocked,” she said.

Seeking immediate payment of the dues, Ms. Dikshit said Reliance Infrastructure should immediately provide financial assistance to the two discoms so that they can pay the amount.