The Delhi government will launch its flagship one-time amnesty scheme for power consumers on Sunday. The first camp for the same will be organised at Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s Patparganj constituency and will be flagged of by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Delhi’s Power Minister Satyendra Jain told The Hindu that the scheme is likely to benefit around 1.4 lakh consumers.
“The consumers must keep in mind that it is a one-time settlement scheme and no case would be considered after September 30 which is its last date. The first camp will be held at Badrinath Park in West Vinod Nagar on August 31,” he said.
On the directions of the Delhi government, the three power distribution companies have even opened helpline numbers which is 39999707 for BSES Rajdhani (BRPL) consumers, 39999808 for BSES Yamuna (BYPL) and 66404040 for Tata Power (TPDDL) consumers.
Approved by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), the city’s power regulator, the scheme is for those accused of stealing power, tampering with meters or having illegal connections.
All criminal or civil proceedings will be withdrawn against those who voluntarily disclose that they had tampered with meters.
Residents of JJ clusters, the key vote bank of Aam Aadmi Party led government, will have to pay Rs 250 per month for the period they have not paid their power dues.
The late-payment surcharge has been waived off. They can pay their dues in instalment over six months.
Power theft cases will have a “Direct Theft Bill settlement procedure.”
For domestic consumers with an approved load of up to 11 kiloVolt (kV) who have been booked for thefts, the late-payment surcharge has been waived off.
Two-third of the dues will be waived if the accused settles the amount in one go. Sixty per cent of the dues will be waived if payment is made in installments.
For Meter tampering cases, the terms of waiver will be same as those extended to consumers accused of power theft.
Those indulging in unauthorised use of electricity will not have to pay the late-payment surcharge.
Besides, 50 per cent of billed amount will be converted into the correct category or separate meter will be provided for non-domestic use.
For consumers who fall under the category of “disconnected users” with outstanding dues, consumers who want a new connection or those who want to clear outstanding dues, the late-payment surcharge has been waived.
They can pay their bill in four installments. Meter will be installed on payment of first installment.
“The consumers must keep in mind that it is a one-time settlement scheme and no case would be considered after September 30 which is the last date”
