The Hindu : New Delhi News : Complaint filed against BSES

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Wednesday, Feb 27, 2008
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New Delhi

Complaint filed against BSES

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Residents of Chandni Mahal in the Walled City of Delhi on Tuesday lodged a police complaint against power distribution company BSES for coercing consumers to sign affidavits that were prepared and attested by a notary even as the deponent’s name was missing.

According to MLA Shoaib Iqbal, the company had organised a camp for providing new electricity connections and was asking consumers to sign the affidavits and pay Rs.600 to get an electronic meter installed at their premises.

“The affidavits had been signed and stamped by a notary even though there were no names and signatures of the deponents. How can a notary sign an affidavit in the absence of the deponent?” Mr. Iqbal questioned.

He also expressed concern over the contents of the affidavits: “The affidavit says that the consumer will agree to pay all accumulated/outstanding dues including enforcement against theft dues against their name or the premises and the licensee is authorised to recover the dues from the deponent or transfer the dues to any existing electricity connection sanctioned in their favour. That means if the company raises a bill of Rs.20 lakh the consumer will have no option but to pay.” Angry residents have named Reliance Power chairman Anil Ambani and CEO Arun Kanchan in their complaint filed at the Chandni Mahal police station.

“They (BSES) have asked the resident to pay Rs.600 as upfront money and Rs.100 per month for the next 30 months to get a new connection, but the contents of the affidavit are objectionable and they managed to get the thumb impressions of about 100-odd people who are illiterate on these affidavits,” said Mr. Iqbal, demanding “cancellation of the company’s licence”.

The BSES for its part claimed that there had been a “communication gap”. A company official said: “There was nothing wrong with the affidavits and we had them examined by our legal team. There seems to be a communication gap, as our intention was to provide service to those consumers who do not have the time, money or resources to get an affidavit.”

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