The Hindu : New Delhi News : NDPL to relax rules for new power connections

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 05, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

NDPL to relax rules for new power connections

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Even defaulter consumers can seek new connections
Dues not to be waived off, to be collected any time

NEW DELHI: Power distribution company North Delhi Power Limited is making it easier for consumers to light up their homes this Diwali by relaxing the rules for procuring a new electricity connection.

The company has decided to offer new electricity connections to even those consumers who have dues pending against their premises. This respite in rules is, however, limited to those consumers whose outstanding dues date to the period prior to the privatisation of the power sector in 2002.

Also, the dues will not be waived off, but can be collected at any time by the discom on behalf of the Government.

“As of now it is mandatory for consumers to clear all outstanding dues against their premises before they can be allotted a new connection. But since most of the unpaid amount is from the DVB period, it is difficult to get consumers to pay up. At the NDPL we have now decided to give connections to those who have outstanding dues billed before 2002,” said a senior official of the discom.

The relaxation in rules is expected to spell relief for thousands of consumers who have been denied a new connection owing to the prevalent practice.

“Last year about 1.20 lakh people sought new connections, this year too we have seen up to 10,000 applications a month, but after verification we have been able to process only half of the applications received so far,” the official said.

“In a majority of the cases, consumers put forth various arguments to avoid paying the dues. Collecting this money has become a long drawn process. The Delhi Government, which is entitled to these dues, is yet to receive its money and the consumers too are deprived of a legitimate connection.”

At the time of privatisation, the power distribution companies inherited outstanding dues amounting to Rs.4,000 crore, of which the NDPL’s share was Rs.1300 crore.

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