The electricity is a basic necessity. The privatization of the electricity supply in Delhi has its own benifits and problems. On the one hand the DISCOMs want to earn money and have gone ahead from where the DVB left. On the other hand, the consumers want equally good services.
The problem arises when the Government is not alert to the growing awareness/demands of the consumer and try to subside the consumer’s anguish with sweet talks. However the problem remains un-resolved and the matter is settled in courts.
The electricity regulators too are not playing their parts properly and the consumers are left high and dry. The result is that the frustration piles up. Many staff members of the NDPL and BSES take advantage of this situation and harass consumers in violation of various provisions and law.
This blog discusses various problems faced by the electricity consumers in Delhi. The questions raised by the electricity consumer of NDPL or BSES is answered by a legal expert Sh. Rajinder Ahluwalia Advocate (Supreme Court).
The problem arises when the Government is not alert to the growing awareness/demands of the consumer and try to subside the consumer’s anguish with sweet talks. However the problem remains un-resolved and the matter is settled in courts.
The electricity regulators too are not playing their parts properly and the consumers are left high and dry. The result is that the frustration piles up. Many staff members of the NDPL and BSES take advantage of this situation and harass consumers in violation of various provisions and law.
This blog discusses various problems faced by the electricity consumers in Delhi. The questions raised by the electricity consumer of NDPL or BSES is answered by a legal expert Sh. Rajinder Ahluwalia Advocate (Supreme Court).
My electricity bills upto the last month was not more than Rs.300/- on ACTUAL BASIS.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to receive my bill for the month of October, 2009 for Rs.1,08,990/- (Rs. one lakh eight thousand nine hundred ninety only) and the meter jumped from 717 (on 06.08.2009) to 19859 (on 06.10.2009).
When I took up the matter with BSES Yamuna Power Ltd., to hush up the matter, they handed me over a bill for Rs.11,000/- (Round sum payable) and insisted for making the payment of Rs.11,000/- otherwise my electricity would be cut off.
My sanctioned load is only 01 KW.
BSES, Laxmi nagar, Delhi is not accepting my written complaint and insisting on making the payment of Rs.11,000/-.
I paid Rs.11,000/- and also requested them to change to the meter so that the same problem may not arise again.
They changed the meter and have now called me to come to their office when the seal of the meter will be opened before me, they say.
I understand that the accu check machine may or may not detect jump reading of this type.
Pl. advise what should I do in the matter.
Thanking you,
Dear Vinod,
ReplyDeleteYour meter seems to have jumped reading.
You have rightly taken up the matter with the BSES. However you need to be particular that the payment of Rs. 11,000/- is paid on account and without prejudice to your right in case you need to file a complaint before the concrened consumer court.
At the time of inspection, ascertain the names of the inspector/staff. Record a video of the entire inspection of the meter. In case you are not satisfied with the inspection report, you can put a remark at the inspection report and ask for an inspection of the meter by an independent agency. This too can be done through consumer court.
If in the process you have been harassed, you can also seek compensation from the court.
Normally at the time of inspection, an accu check machine is used to know the correctness of the meter. Please check carefully what is the report of the accu check.
Make a record of all this for future reference.
Accu check can only show correctness of the meter. +2 or -2 % deviation is considered normal. It may or may not show the jumped meter reading or cause of the jump. But the connected load, i.e the load of the entire household electrical/electronic gadgets, can clearly show that there could not have been any reason for the meter to show such a huge reading in one billing cycle.
In case the BSES insists that the inspection is showing a normal meter and they demand you to pay entire bill, you can file the case against them.
Good Luck!
Rajinder Ahluwalia Advocate
A couple of yrs back, we bought a built-up property in Kohat Enclave with all the electricity connections and a 1KW meter. Considering our usage, we immediately increased the sanctioned load to 3KW.
ReplyDeleteA couple of weeks back some NDPL enforcement people came to replace old meters & found our meter with a shunted wire. They have issued a show cause notice for DAE & mentioned on the form "Meter found with seal intact".
Now, if the seal was intact it would only be someone from NDPL that could have tampered with the meter when it was originally installed(before we bought the property).
Not only this, in greed of getting higher commissions, these guys have noted our actual consumption as 15KW (note that the meter currently installed is of 3KW & working fine).
My question is, if we file a consumer harassment case against NDPL, what are the chances of the hon'ble courts redressing our complaint/ grievance.
An early relply would be greatly appreciated.
thanks & regards
Inderjeet Singh
Dear Sir
ReplyDeletePLEASE SUGGEST, WHAT SHOULD I DO FURTHER?
Please refer to below conversations, approx two months have been gone but nothing has been done so far. The concerned department is not answering about the exact time for electrification of our colony. Although, all the houses in our colony are using temporary connection and I’m also requesting regularly to install the temporary meter at least against my request nos (Permanent Req. No. 1011136706, Temp Req. No. 1011169619).
I received a call from Amit Kr Garg (MMG). He said that I have to bear 50% cost of electrification (approx 1.5 lac) otherwise no connection will be given. What a joke..? I’m a salaried person working in pvt company and not a business man to bear such a massive amount. I’m not able to bear a rupee.
All the houses in our colony are having temporary connection, so why not for me? The person visited my house to install the permanent metre had also suggested me to apply for temporary connection and I have already applied for the same. I’m unable to understand that why NDPL is too cruel for me only.
Thanks & Regards
Santosh Kr Singh
9810303321
REQWEST NO#1011497202, AND K.NO.45104297058. METER NOT INSTOLATIONS PENDING FROM LAST FOUR MONTH, PLS HELP CONT NO.9212451245,9210091009(ASHOK MATHUR)
ReplyDeleteMyself vijay Singh I have applied in Ndpl for new connection for our house which no is 97/19gali no.11 tomar colony and my reference no.is2000405968but noting action has been taken in this side and Ndpl staff committed that you have another due in sum of rupper 12808 even any connection not be taken at the same address so what will be resolution of it
ReplyDeleteAnd how many time they will take to resolve it so I can use ur facility because near about 1and half month has passed
ReplyDeletesir mera miter no . 43121182
ReplyDeleteK. No. 43100123316
CA/CRN No. 060009803077
MRU. NL04A002
sir mera miter bahut fast chalta hai ispar koi karwai nahi ki ja razhi hai.
aap is hal kare
Name surendra yadfav
Address. Village bakoli new delhi
Pin Code 110036
Mob. No. 09555497053