The Union Cabinet has approved forming a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to privatise the electricity distribution business in the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (DNH&DD).

The union cabinet also approved the sale of equity shares of the newly formed company to the highest bidder and the formation of Trust(s) for serving employees’ liabilities.

“The said privatisation process will fulfill the desired outcomes of better services to over 1.45 lakh consumers of DNH&DD, operational improvements and functional efficiencies in distribution and provide a model for emulation by other utilities across the country,” the official statement said.

“This will further lead to an increase in competition and strengthen the electricity industry and will also lead to recovery of unrealised dues,” it added.

In May 2020, the Government of India had announced ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, to make India self-reliant through structural reforms. One of the critical measures planned was to reform the power distribution and retail supply in Union Territories (UT) through privatisation of the power distribution utilities for leveraging private sector efficiency in electricity distribution.

A single distribution company, i.e. DNH-DD Power Distribution Corporation Limited, would be incorporated as a wholly-owned Government Company and Trust(s) shall be formed to manage the terminal benefits of the personnel transferred to the newly formed company.

Transfer of assets, liabilities, personnel etc., to the newly formed company, will be done according to the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Electricity (Reorganisation and Reforms) Transfer Scheme, 2020.