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DERC order on meter checking half-hearted

Sujay Mehdudia

Unlikely to resolve the complex issue of fast running meters and inflated bills; too little, too late, feel experts

NEW DELHI: The announcement by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) about ensuring independent inspection of electricity meters installed by the power distribution companies seems to be a half-hearted measure that is unlikely to resolve the complex issue of fast running meters and inflated bills. Instead it is being termed as a move to turn the heat off to wriggle out of the present mess.

Experts are of the view that the latest move by the DERC is too little and too late. It has once again highlighted the "indifferent attitude'' of the Commission towards protecting the interests of lakhs of power consumers across the Capital. The drive will be carried out for three months and the meters would be checked randomly at the site where they are installed. The Commission has sought the services of government labs for testing of meters and also deploy its own staff for carrying out such an exercise. The staff of the private discoms would also be present during this testing of meters.

Interestingly, the DERC and the Sheila Dikshit Government have been dragging their feet on the issue of appointment of Accuracy Assurance and Inspection Staff to ensure supply of tamper-free electricity meters to consumers. This new measure is nothing but an attempt to brush aside an important issue that has badly affected the consumers and has added to their financial burden and mental harassment.

Observers and even those associated with privatisation of the power sector in the Capital are of the view that despite repeated reminders about putting in place such a mechanism and demands from the consumers and the Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs), both the DERC and Delhi Government have not done anything on this consumer friendly measure. The matter had been bought to the notice of the Delhi Government nearly one year ago but it had preferred not to act and instead concentre its energies on defending the private power companies.

"The DERC has skipped the core issue of quality of meters. Why should it allow a particular discom to install inferior quality meters imported from China that do not stand the scrutiny of the norms laid down for the standard of meters to be installed at the premises of the consumers. This is just a temporary eye wash exercise that will not help the situation,'' remarked an expert.

The Delhi Residents' Welfare Associations Joint Front secretary, Pankaj Aggarwal, said the new measure might help the consumers who get new meters from now onwards. What happens to the nine-lakh consumers who have already been thrust with fast running electricity meters?

Under the suggested regime for meter quality control, the Delhi Government and the DERC would have had to deploy their Accuracy Assurance and Inspection Staff unit at the supply end of the meters who would then put an indestructible DERC seals on each and every meter dispatched from the various manufacturers. These indestructible type seals once put the testimony of independent body at the source itself. The seal would also remain a proof of accuracy for the entire period of meters deployment at the consumer premises. This way all stakeholders including the consumers have the confidence on the meters supplied by the manufacturers. However, this proposal has not found favour with the DERC or the Delhi Government for some strange reason.

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