Latest news with #DGVCL
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
32,000 MSMEs get backdated electricity shock
Surat: In a development affecting more than 32,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in South Gujarat, businesses were hit with additional electricity charges for the past 12 months. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Industry sources say these charges will total Rs 60 crore and will affect textile units running operations such as weaving, rapier jacquard, embroidery and other industries that use low-tension maximum demand (LTMD) connections. The additional fees stem from peak hour charges, calculated at 0.45 paisa per unit above regular rates. According to DGVCL officials, the average supplementary bill amount is Rs 18,750, to be recovered from 32,000 users. Sources in industry said many users received supplementary bills for more than Rs 40,000. The delay in billing arose because Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) did not previously calculate peak hour charges, as the mechanism to collect time data on electricity consumption was not in place. DGVCL started installing new meters and upgrading its IT infrastructure to address this gap. The designated peak hours, according to DGVCL, are from 7am to 11am and 6am to 10pm. Textile units, which typically operate round the clock, are particularly affected, receiving substantial bills for peak hour usage. Conversely, units that do not operate during these hours have to pay less. DGVCL officials said they are complying with directives from the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC), which mandated the collection of these charges starting June 2024. "We could not collect the peak hour charges earlier as the system was not in place. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The meter configuration and IT system upgrade took time," said a DGVCL senior official. Following appeals by the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) to cabinet minister for energy Kanu Desai, the govt has allowed businesses to pay these charges in instalments without interest. "The minister tried to find a solution, but due to the GERC order, it cannot be reversed. Textile units are the most affected as we operate 24 hours," said Ashok Jirawala, vice-president of SGCCI. "The govt heard us positively and offered solutions, but the issue would not have been created if DGVCL had taken prompt action a year ago. The produced material has already been sold according to the cost calculated then, and in many cases, tenants have vacated rented units, so how does one recover the additional electricity charges," said Mayur Golvala, secretary, Sachin Industrial Co-Op Soc. "There must be a consistent policy related to industries so that we can focus on production and global competition. If we are affected by such unpredictable developments, it becomes difficult to operate," said Chetan Maniya, president of Rapier Jacquard Weavers Association. The rationale behind the peak hour tariff is to incentivise electricity use during periods of higher solar power production, typically the afternoons, thereby reducing reliance on conventional power sources during peak demand.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Part payment of dues no shield from criminal prosecution: HC
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court refused to quash an FIR for power theft against the promoters of Chiripal Industries and trustees of Shanti Asiatic School in Surat, stating that payment of dues does not exempt individuals from criminal prosecution in electricity theft cases. According to the case details, Milestone Education Trust runs the Shanti Asiatic School in Surat, where a raid by the Dakshin Gujarat Vij Co Ltd (DGVCL) reportedly revealed power theft in Dec 2012. The power company issued a bill and later revised it to Rs 76.72 lakh for usage and Rs 10.88 lakh for compounding charges. It also filed an FIR under the Electricity Act against trustees Vedprakash Chiripal, Jyotiprasad Chiripal, and Deshbhushan Singhal. The trust filed a civil suit, and the court ordered the restoration of electricity supply upon the trust depositing Rs 80 lakh. The HC reduced the deposit amount to Rs 60 lakh so that the academic activities continued unhindered. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad In 2017, the trustees approached the high court challenging the FIR on the grounds that the invocation of criminal proceedings was an abuse of process because the dispute was of a civil nature, and they expressed willingness to pay the amount levied by DGVCL. However, the power company declined to accept the compounding amount. After hearing the case, Justice J C Doshi rejected the petition for quashing of criminal charges and stated, "A consumer cannot assert that payment of a substantial portion of the assessed amount under a supplementary bill extinguishes or absolves him of the criminal consequences under the Act, as both liabilities operate in different and independent spheres." The HC further stated, "If the petitioner–consumer intends to compound the offence, he is obligated to comply with the specific compounding demand as determined and communicated by the electricity company. Merely offering to deposit a part-payment of the amount or relying on deposits made pursuant to civil proceedings does not entitle the accused to automatic compounding of the criminal case."
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Chaitar Vasava arrest: Congress MLA Anant Patel backs AAP leader, calls for ‘united protest' by tribal communities
The camaraderie between Congress MLA Anant Patel and AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava—both prominent tribal leaders in Gujarat—is well known. Now, following Vasava's arrest by the Narmada police, Patel has come out in support of him, urging tribal organisations and communities across the state to unite and protest. On Saturday, an alleged scuffle between Vasava and BJP leader Sanjay Vasava during a meeting at the taluka panchayat office ended up in the arrest in Gujarat's Narmada district on Saturday. Patel, who represents the Vansda constituency in Navsari, posted a video on social media on Monday, appealing to people to join a protest in solidarity with Dediapada MLA Vasava. In the purported video, Patel said, 'The tribal MLA Chaitarbhai Vasava is popular for taking up the issues of tribal (communities) against the state government and their officials to create pressure on the administration and get justice.' He alleged, 'The Narmada police illegally arrested Chaitar Vasava on Saturday. Just a few days ago, Chaitar Vasava and I had jointly carried out a successful protest against DGVCL officials, who were not giving jobs to tribal and OBC youths who were on the merit list and cleared written and practical exams conducted by DGVCL since January.' Accusing the ruling BJP of using the police for political ends, Patel said, 'The BJP uses the police department as their workers… We oppose the stance taken by the state government. We have decided to organise a protest march called Nyay Yatra in the coming days in support of the tribal MLA, and will gherao the Dediapada police station. We are seeking support from all tribal organisations across Gujarat, including political leaders, to back us in a march against the arrest of Chaitar Vasava. The tribal community has never bowed down and will not do so in the future.' Speaking to The Indian Express, Patel reiterated, 'We have called a meeting of all the leaders of tribal organisations in South Gujarat and Central Gujarat and are planning to carry out a protest in favour of Chaitar Vasava. We are supporting him as a tribal MLA and not as an AAP MLA. We are working on bringing all tribal leaders on a single platform in support of Vasava.'
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Vidyut sahayak candidates protest at DGVCL office
Surat: Hundreds of candidates who passed a recruitment exam in Jan staged a dharna at the office of Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) on Friday, demanding jobs. The 'Halla Bol' protest was led by Vansda Congress MLA Anant Patel and Dediapada AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the protesters, 1,600 candidates passed the exam for posts of Vidhyut Sahayak in Jan, but since then, they were not appointed. Instead, a staffing agency was engaged, with unqualified persons being employed for less pay for the same job. "According to the list declared, 1,664 candidates cleared the exam for Vidhyut Sahayak in Jan, but they were not appointed. Around 27 were given appointment letters, but simultaneously, DGVCL hired a staffing agency from Delhi to supply workers for the same job," Patel told TOI. "The regular salary for this post is Rs 27,000, while the agency's workers are paid Rs 12,000. Further, the qualification criterion was that the candidate should have completed the wireman's course, ITI or other courses. The contracted workers do not have these qualifications," added Patel. Following the representation, DGVCL officials assured the leaders that at least 100 appointment letters would be issued to eligible candidates. "DGVCL hired an agency to supply manpower, but eligible candidates who cleared the exam are not being appointed. We have given an ultimatum to DGVCL to appoint the candidates who passed the exam and discontinue the staffing contract," said Vasava.
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Business Standard
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Smallcap electrical cables stock surges 29% in 2 days, zooms 86% in 5 weeks
Advait Energy Transitions share price today Advait Energy Transitions shares hit a nine-month high of ₹2,146 on the BSE today, ralling 11 per cent in the intraday trade, amid heavy volumes, in an otherwise weak market. In the past two trading days, the stock price of the smallcap electrical cables company has surged 29 per cent, while in the past four trading days it has soared 37 per cent on the BSE. Further, in the past five weeks, Advait Energy Transitions market price has appreciated by 85 per cent from a level of ₹1,153.10, which it touched on May 9, 2025. At 10:11 AM, the stock was quoting 7 per cent higher at ₹2,066.95 as compared to 1 per cent decline in the BSE Sensex. Currently, Advait Energy Transitions is trading at its highest level since September 2024. It had hit a 52-week high of ₹2,260 on July 19, 2024. What's driving Advait Energy Transitions share price? On May 29, 2025, Advait Energy Transitions informed the stock exchanges that the company has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for turnkey contract (supply, installation, testing and commissioning) of 11 KV 55mm2 AAAC Medium Voltage Covered Conductor (MVCC) with its accessories (poles and its fabrications to be supplied by DGVCL) in jurisdiction area of Dakshin Gujarat Vij Co. Ltd. (DGVCL) under Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY-2) Scheme. The contract size is worth of ₹50 crore and is to be executed within 15 months. Previously, on May 16, Advait Greenergy Private Limited, a subsidiary of Advait Energy Transitions, informed that the company has accepted various purchase order(s) worth of ₹129.39 crore in normal course of business, for Project EPCC work to design, engineer, supply, and test 67.5 MWp Solar Ground Mounted, including material supplies, BOS and various services at Khavda, Kutch, Gujarat. The company received the said orders from KPI Green Energy which is to be executed within six months. On May 14, Advait Energy Transitions said the company has accepted order(s) amounting of ₹86.14 crore, in the normal course of business, for supply of goods contract for Package OPGW-04: Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) supply & installation package for various transmission lines PAN India locations under BULK IMPLEMENTATION (supply + erection) for OPGW and communication equipment by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited. The time for completion for establishment of each OPGW Link under the scope of this package shall be 12 months from date of issuance of its Lot wise Implementation Instructions, the company said. Motilal Oswal Financial Services view on Cables and Wires India has witnessed a robust growth in the cables & wires (C&W) exports over the past five years, recording a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~19 per cent over FY20-25, with strong demand from markets like the US, Europe, and Middle East. Companies are increasingly securing product-level certifications that are crucial for expanding exports. Global investments in power infrastructure, renewable energy, and Transmission & Distribution (T&D) networks are creating sustained demand for LMV (Low Medium Voltage) cables and MV (Medium Voltage) cables, where Indian players have strong capabilities and cost advantages. About Advait Energy Transitions Advait Energy Transitions is a global leader in power transmission, distribution, substations, and telecommunication infrastructure. Additionally, Advait is providing EPC solutions for live line projects reconductoring projects, upgradation in transmission network infrastructure, GH2 solutions, ground mounted solar solutions and Battery Energy Systems Solutions (BESS). The company's core competencies include the manufacturing and supply of Stringing Tools, ACS Wires, OPGW Cables, Emergency Restoration Systems (ERS), Optical Fibre Cables, and a comprehensive range of insulators. In recent years, Advait has strategically expanded into the new and renewable energy space. It is actively developing projects in Green Hydrogen (including a 300 MW manufacturing capacity under the Government of India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme), Battery Energy Storage Systems (50 MW), and Solar Power integration (200+ MW).
