Bowing to pressure from traders and industrialists, Delhi government on Saturday withdrew its decision to resort to loadshedding in commercial places, which would have forced industries to close by 1830 hrs and markets by 1930 hrs.
Describing the decisions as only "recommendatory", Delhi Power Minister Haroon Yusuf said a high-level meeting of the government reviewed the proposed steps and decided not to go ahead with some of the directives.
The meeting was chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and attended by power secretary Rakesh Mehta and other senior officials besides Yusuf.
The withdrawal of the decision to carry out loadshedding in markets and industrial areas came less than 24 hours after the government announced the new guidelines in the face of stiff opposition to the proposed move by traders and industrialists. The directive asking markets to compulsorily close for a day in a week has also been withdrawn.
However, Yusuf claimed the withdrawal of the decision did not come due to pressure from traders and industrialists but because of the inflow of extra power.
"The situation has improved in Delhi and we don't need to resort to loadshedding in markets and industrial areas," he said adding the capital has started getting 109 MW from Himachal Pradesh from today.
He said Himachal will supply 41 MW additional power from Monday. The Dadri power plant, closed for maintenance, will also start giving power to Delhi before its scheduled date of May 15, Yusuf said.
"However, other guidelines pertaining to disallowing illumination of hoardings by drawing power and switching off the air-conditioner in Delhi government offices after 1830 hrs stand," Yusuf said.
He said a notification to this effect will be brought out shortly.
The power minister once again appealed to the citizens of Delhi not to use air conditioners before 2100 hrs.
Yusuf also refused to comment on a query suggesting lack of coordination between the CMO and the power ministry before the guidelines were issued.
Earlier in the day, a delegation of traders had met the chief minister and submitted their representation to withdraw the guidelines pertaining to markets.
