Relief from power bills on anvil
22 Sept 2012 7:56 AM IST
Consumers in the national capital may finally be relieved from ‘inflated’ power bills from private power distribution companies after Delhi government made a plea to Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) to look into the matter.
When contacted, DERC Chairman PD Sudhakar confirmed that he was in the receipt of several complaints and petitions regarding the matter.
‘However, I can’t confirm to you now and can’t promise what could be the nature of the relief. We have to take the decision after examining the issue in detail. We have representations from residents and we are open-minded about the thing,’ Sudhakar told Millennium Post.
Sources in the DERC and Power department informed that the government has asked for the review of the current power tariff slab, wherein in every unit consumed is charged at an enhanced rate as soon as the consumer crosses the ceiling of 200 units.
At present, the bill for 200 units is calculated at Rs 3.70 per unit, however as soon as the consumption goes to 201 unit, the bill for the consumption is calculated at Rs 4.80 per unit for every unit consumed.
Consumers falling in the lowest slab range of 0-200 unit are around 59 per cent in Delhi. For the last three months, consumers of Delhi have been receiving inflated power bills. Residents complained that the new power tariff slab was not normal and they were being over-billed.
The revised tariff came into effect from 1 July, where DERC increased the domestic power tariff with 34 per cent including a surcharge of eight per cent for the year 2012-13, the fourth increase in 10 months.
‘The government has suggested to DERC that only incremental units beyond the units of 200 be charged at the enhanced rates. This would give much relief to the consumers from the draconian ruling given by DERC earlier,’ said an official from Power department.
Residents of Safdarjung Enclave, Lajpat Nagar and other posh areas of south Delhi complained that they were receiving electricity bills running to the tune of Rs 9,000 to Rs 16,000 for the September 2012 monthly billing.
Even in slums in Delhi, dwellers complained that with a meagre salary of Rs 5,000 in most of the houses, their electricity bill was ranging from Rs 2,200 to Rs 6,500 in some houses.
Three power distribution companies, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd are responsible for providing the electricity to the residents of Delhi.
CIVIC BODY, POWER FIRM LOCK HORNS
Power distributor BYPL has locked horns with east Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) on the issue of outstanding tax payment. EDMC has issued an attach and auction notice to the power distributor to recover its three months’ tax amounting to Rs 12 crore while BYPL has demanded an outstanding of Rs 59 crore from the corporation.
'By 21 September, the east Delhi corporation owes Rs 59 crore of BYPL in form of electricity bills and maintenance charges. The amount of electricity tax liability of east Delhi with BYPL is Rs 30 crore so far. They must pay us the balance of Rs 29 crore after deducting their tax,’ said a spokesperson of BYPL. The power distributor supplies power to various offices of the corporation and also to streetlights in its area and charges for the maintenance of the streetlight to the department of corporation.
When contacted, DERC Chairman PD Sudhakar confirmed that he was in the receipt of several complaints and petitions regarding the matter.
‘However, I can’t confirm to you now and can’t promise what could be the nature of the relief. We have to take the decision after examining the issue in detail. We have representations from residents and we are open-minded about the thing,’ Sudhakar told Millennium Post.
Sources in the DERC and Power department informed that the government has asked for the review of the current power tariff slab, wherein in every unit consumed is charged at an enhanced rate as soon as the consumer crosses the ceiling of 200 units.
At present, the bill for 200 units is calculated at Rs 3.70 per unit, however as soon as the consumption goes to 201 unit, the bill for the consumption is calculated at Rs 4.80 per unit for every unit consumed.
Consumers falling in the lowest slab range of 0-200 unit are around 59 per cent in Delhi. For the last three months, consumers of Delhi have been receiving inflated power bills. Residents complained that the new power tariff slab was not normal and they were being over-billed.
The revised tariff came into effect from 1 July, where DERC increased the domestic power tariff with 34 per cent including a surcharge of eight per cent for the year 2012-13, the fourth increase in 10 months.
‘The government has suggested to DERC that only incremental units beyond the units of 200 be charged at the enhanced rates. This would give much relief to the consumers from the draconian ruling given by DERC earlier,’ said an official from Power department.
Residents of Safdarjung Enclave, Lajpat Nagar and other posh areas of south Delhi complained that they were receiving electricity bills running to the tune of Rs 9,000 to Rs 16,000 for the September 2012 monthly billing.
Even in slums in Delhi, dwellers complained that with a meagre salary of Rs 5,000 in most of the houses, their electricity bill was ranging from Rs 2,200 to Rs 6,500 in some houses.
Three power distribution companies, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd are responsible for providing the electricity to the residents of Delhi.
CIVIC BODY, POWER FIRM LOCK HORNS
Power distributor BYPL has locked horns with east Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) on the issue of outstanding tax payment. EDMC has issued an attach and auction notice to the power distributor to recover its three months’ tax amounting to Rs 12 crore while BYPL has demanded an outstanding of Rs 59 crore from the corporation.
'By 21 September, the east Delhi corporation owes Rs 59 crore of BYPL in form of electricity bills and maintenance charges. The amount of electricity tax liability of east Delhi with BYPL is Rs 30 crore so far. They must pay us the balance of Rs 29 crore after deducting their tax,’ said a spokesperson of BYPL. The power distributor supplies power to various offices of the corporation and also to streetlights in its area and charges for the maintenance of the streetlight to the department of corporation.
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