The Hindu : New Delhi News : ‘Tatkal’ power connections in the Capital now

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Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008
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‘Tatkal’ power connections in the Capital now

Staff Reporter

Over 40,000 new consumers to benefit from the BYPL facility that will be launched on January 14

Within 24 hours to consumers from the poor sections of society
The applicant living in slum clusters to pay Rs.350 per kW

NEW DELHI: Power distribution company BYPL will now provide new electricity connections within 24 hours to consumers from the economically weaker sections of society. The ‘Tatkal” scheme will be launched by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on January 14.

“We want to offer our services to every resident of Delhi. Each one of them, particularly those residing in jhuggi jhonpris, must have access to quality, reliable and legal electricity supply. Once they become our consumers, their support would boost our efforts to provide world class services,” said BYPL CEO Arun Kanchan.

Mr. Kanchan said the initiative was a “good example of inclusive development” and would also “go a long way in containing power theft”.

BYPL expects over 40,000 new consumers to avail themselves of the “Tatkal” facility. “BYPL will provide ‘Tatkal’ connections within 24 hours at the doorstep of the economically weaker sections of the population in East Delhi and Central Delhi. Over the next three months, BYPL plans to organise over 100 camps, targeting over 40,000 customers in 50 clusters chosen for the project,” Mr. Kanchan said.

Among the clusters chosen across BYPL’s distribution network are Ballimaran, Baljeet Nagar, Nabi Karim, Kasabpura, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony, Sanjay Amar Colony, Old Seemapuri, New Seemapuri, Kalander Colony, Sonia Vihar, Janta Majdoor Colony, Sriram Colony, Chauhan Bangar, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Sunder Nagri JJ Cluster and Old Mustafabad.

These camps modelled on the single-window concept will be manned by an empowered team of BYPL officials. “The team of officials will not only help applicants fill their forms and complete formalities but will also organise for all the necessary documentation like stamp paper and photograph of the applicant free of cost and on the spot,” BYPL officials said.

Consumers will be allowed to pay for the electricity connections in instalments. To avail of a connection, the applicant living in slum clusters will have to pay Rs.350 per kW and Rs.1200 as service line charges that can be paid in instalments.

For non-slum cluster area residents, the charges are Rs.600 per kW and Rs.3,000 for service line charges.

“The past energy dues on the premises and enforcement dues (on the applicant) will also no longer be a constraint for getting a new connection subject to certain conditions for the targeted group for this scheme. For instance, if there are any energy dues on the premises, late payment surcharge will be waived off and the applicant will be allowed to pay the dues in up to four instalments. Similarly an outstanding enforcement penalty will also no longer be a hindrance in taking a connection, in the particular camp areas, again subject to certain conditions. Though the enforcement case will not be closed, the person will be allowed to apply for a connection,” a BYPL official said.

“We realised that many people, even those living in the recently electrified areas, were not coming forward to take legal connections. The three major deterrents that came to light were high initial upfront cost, several trips to complete the formalities and middlemen who used to take these uneducated and ill informed people for a ride. This scheme, with just one stroke, has addressed all the three concerns,” said Mr. Kanchan.

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