Monday, Nov 01, 2004
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By Our Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI, OCT. 31. Just before launching a general amnesty scheme for tampered meters as per the direction of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, the BSES, responsible for distribution of electricity in two-thirds of the city, increased its coffers by Rs. 1 crore by imposing hefty penalty on those consumers whose electricity meters were found doctored or tampered. Following large-scale complaints from consumers that they were being unduly harassed by the discoms in the name of tampered meters, the DERC in its recent order had asked the BSES and North Delhi Power Limited to launch a "one-time month-long" voluntary disclosure scheme for their consumers. The scheme would begin from November 1. In a statement, the BSES said its Special Enforcement Drive against meter tampering yielded rich dividends. In less than a month, the discom realised penalties over Rs. 1 crore from 100 consumers who were found guilty of varying meter irregularities, including tampered meters and load misuse. Following surprise checks, the discom also lodged as many as 77 first information reports on charges of direct theft and issued 100 public hearing notices for direct abstraction of energy. "The drive, which has so far covered more than 8,500 meters, has also confirmed what is one of the Capital's worst kept secrets: nearly one in two meters is either tampered with or susceptible to electricity pilferage," a BSES spokesman said. The drive, which is set to intensify, is aimed at cleaning up Delhi's power sector and eliminating the rampant theft of electricity. It is also aimed at replacing tampered meters, and to change categories of consumers (from domestic to commercial) and up gradation of load, wherever required. It is also meant to help the 20-lakh consumers of BSES to arrive at an accurate assessment of their electricity consumption patterns,'' the spokesman said. "Our intent behind the drive is to protect the honest consumer and to reinforce simple message: Everyone must pay for actual consumption of electricity, neither more nor less", he said. Giving details of the voluntary disclosure scheme being launched from Monday, he said the scheme would give the consumers a lifetime opportunity to come clean on electricity meters. The scheme will enable the consumers who are unsure about the accuracy of their existing meters to get them replaced, without incurring any penalty or criminal charges. "Under the scheme, their only liability would be the cost of the meter," he said. After the expiry of the scheme on November 30, the discom would intensify its drive against tampered meters. "No concession would be extended to those who indulge in electricity pilferage after this. Such consumers will have to face legal consequences - which include imprisonment, fine or both," the spokesman warned.
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