The Hindu : New Delhi News : ‘Only one faulty power meter found’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

‘Only one faulty power meter found’

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Setting up of an independent lab for testing meters recommended

The drive by CPRI, discoms began on May 28
The drive to continue for five more months

NEW DELHI: A meter testing drive launched by the Delhi Government’s Power Department in association with the Central Power Research Institute, Bangalore, this past May has found just one fast running meter in the Capital so far, it is officially claimed.

A team of experts from the CPRI along with officials of the power distribution companies began the drive on May 28 and after examining 84 meters up to June 22 found just one meter that failed to meet the standard.

“The drive will continue for five more months. Till date, 84 requests that were received from consumers for checking their meters have been attended to and we found just one meter running faster than the permissible limit. The discom concerned has been asked to replace the meter and compensate the family as per the norms stipulated by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission for fast running meters,” said V. K. Kapoor, Member (Technical) of the Public Grievance Cell.

Taking note of the complaints from consumers about fast running meters, the Cell has recommended that an independent lab for testing electricity meters be set up in the Capital. “There is a need to have an independent lab, which can address the concerns of consumers and those cases where meter tampering has been alleged. While the money for setting up such a lab will have to come from the Delhi Government, the expertise can be sought from CPRI or similar organisations,” said Mr. Kapoor.

The permission to start an independent meter testing lab will come from the DERC and the proposal will also be discussed with the discoms. “The recommendation will need DERC’s sanction, but the discoms too will be consulted. CPRI as of now cannot be approached by individuals, but with the opening of a lab, their requests will be attended to.”

“The National Electricity Act also calls for provision of third party meter testing, but the issue has to be discussed. It has to be seen which organisation is available and whether the laboratory is National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited,” said a senior DERC official.

“We have had on-site meter testing in the past as well, but it is an expensive proposition and besides who will do the independent mete testing is a debatable issue,” he said.

As of now the consumers can ask their electricity provider to check the meter.

They can also seek a third party examination on payment of a nominal fee.

The Power Department has begun a meter testing drive in the city following a large number of complaints of fast running meters from consumers; even as the discoms have been routinely carrying out meter testing drives to clamp down on meter tampering.

“While consumers accuse the discoms of installing fast running meters, the discoms claim consumers tamper with the meters. The on-site checking of meters which is currently being carried out will restore the confidence of people,” said Rakesh Mehta, State Principal Secretary (Power).

The on-site checking of meters is being carried out over a period of six months and the consumers will have to pay Rs.50 for a single-phase connection and Rs.100 for a multiple phase connection to get their meters checked.

The demand for setting up an independent meter testing lab was also raised by senior BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi recently, who wrote to the Chief Minister to examine the possibility.

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