Power Minister Ashish Sood on Friday said the Supreme Court’s interim stay on the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of three private discoms is a procedural order and not a verdict on the merits of the case.Reacting to the court’s order halting the audit directed by the Delhi government, Mr. Sood said the interim direction was intended to preserve the status quo until legal issues are examined in detail. “It is neither a final verdict nor a clean chit to private power distribution companies,” he said, adding that the court had recognised the need to examine questions of transparency and accountability in Delhi’s power sector.Welcoming the court’s direction that the liquidation of regulatory assets will remain stayed, Mr. Sood termed it “a major relief” for consumers, as it prevents the immediate implementation of a mechanism that could have resulted in a significant financial burden through higher tariffs.He said the interim stay pauses both the proposed CAG audit and the appointment of a chartered accountant until the court reaches a final decision. “The court has not held that the CAG audit is illegal, nor has it accepted the contentions of the discoms. It has only preserved the existing position while examining the legal framework,” he said.Questioning the urgency shown by discoms in opposing the audit, Mr. Sood said the government would not allow a potential burden of nearly ₹38,500 crore to be passed on to consumers without independent financial scrutiny. “Every rupee collected from consumers deserves accountability. Our responsibility is to protect taxpayers and electricity consumers,” he said.The Minister reiterated that the government remains committed to transparency. He said the demand for a CAG audit is rooted in principles of accountability and good governance. “Today’s interim order is only a procedural step,” he added. Published - July 04, 2026 01:01 am IST