In a first, Delhi consumers to now get paid for power cuts
Welcome To CitySpidey

Location

In a first, Delhi consumers to now get paid for power cuts

Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal approves Delhi government’s pro-consumer proposal, wherein discoms will have to pay up for unscheduled power cuts.

In a first, Delhi consumers to now get paid for power cuts

This summer, residents of Delhi could start getting paid for long unscheduled power cuts, as Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal approves Delhi government’s much-debated, pro-consumer proposal.

AAP-led Delhi government had approved a controversial ruling that if unscheduled power cuts were not resolved within an hour, the power distribution companies would be liable to pay compensation to its users.

The failure to restore power within an hour would result in a penalty of Rs 50 per hour for the first two hours, and Rs 100 for every hour thereafter.

With the LG’s approval, Delhi will become the first city in the country to have such a policy.

Three private companies supply electricity in Delhi — BSES Yamuna, BSES Rajdhani and TPDD (Tata Power Delhi Distribution).

As Delhi does not have smart meters, consumers will have to log their complaints with the power distribution company as soon as the power supply is disturbed. This can be done by sending a ‘no current’ text message to the registered mobile numbers or through email, email, phone app or a website along with their basic details.

The power distribution company is to respond when the supply resumes. When the time limit is over, the company automatically credits the penalty in the consumer's monthly bill.

According to Delhi power minister Sateynder Jain, the new policy had become the need of the hour because unscheduled power cuts became too frequent in the city despite having adequate power for summer.

After the policy was approved by the Delhi cabinet last Tuesday, it was sent to the L-G’s office for a final consent. Delhi government on Thursday informed the policy was approved by the LG office. A Tweet by Anil Baijal confirmed the same: “Approved proposal for issue of policy directions regarding payment of compensation to consumers in case of power failure @ArvindKejriwal and @SatyendarJain.”

AAP government had initiated the idea two months back in a meeting with discom officials when the Summer Action Plan, 2018, was being prepared. However, discoms had opposed it, saying it would create a huge financial burden on them.