Notice to Delhi Govt., BSES Yamuna Power on faulty bills

New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today issued notices to the Delhi Government, Reliance-owned BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and the Central and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions on a PIL seeking direction for release of 10 percent as compensation of the faulty bills to the consumers.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kailash Gambhir asked the respondents to file their replies to the allegations by September 5, the next date of hearing.

Producing an electricity bill of Baban Tiwari of South Ganesh Nagar, who was charged Rs 5.66 lakh, the petition said, ''The BSES Yamuna Power Ltd has the practice of issuing wrong bills to the consumers.'' When the consumer lodged a complaint, the bill was rectified and made Rs 2300 only, said the petition filed by Srichand Jain.

''As per the Section 13 A of the DERC (Performance Standard Metering and Billing) Regulations 2002, the consumer is entitled to a compensation of 10 percent if he paid the amount mentioned in the wrong bill after its rectification,'' said the petition filed by Counsel Sugriv Dubey and Namita Roy.

The private discom in connivance with the officials of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) is making huge profit ignoring the principles of welfare state, said the petition.

The petitioner urged the court to direct the authorities to appoint a retired High Court Judge as the head of the Rating Committee of the discoms to ensure transperancy and accountability.

UNI PAT VD BD1939