NEW DELHI: In view of the three-month electricity meters' testing drive announced by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) from October 1, the NGO "People's Action" has written to the Commission to allow consumers, burdened with new electronic meters and inflated bills, to pay according to the average of their bills before the new meters were installed.

In its letter written to DERC, it has cited Section 56(1) of the Central Electricity Act, 2003, that allows for such a caveat in case of disputes. The letter argues that such a directive will not only provide relief to suffering consumers but also send a positive signal about the Commission's proactive approach on the issue.

"We believe that a large number of consumers, who are facing the brunt of unjustifiably inflated bills, will find immediate relief by this one act of the Commission. It stands to reason that while the Commission is enquiring into the veracity of the meters itself, any billing from such meters should also be under scrutiny and therefore possibly `stand waived' should the verdict be against such electronic metres. In such a scenario, consumers are within their right to be protected by the regulatory body and in this case the DERC,'' says Col. Shandilya, general secretary of People's Action.

The NGO has argued that the excess amounts that are reflecting in people's power bills would go as advance payments to discoms should the verdict of the drive go in favour of the residents.

Members of United Residents Joint Action (URJA), the all-Delhi RWA collective body, have been clamouring for a reasonable approach from the Government on this issue but apart from some quick-fix testing undertaken by the Power Department using methodologies that are considered an "eyewash" by most RWAs, there have been no confidence-building measures undertaken by the authorities thus far.

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