Delhi govt may end power amnesty scheme in May

The ‘Bijli Bill Vivad Samadhan Scheme’, which was launched by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on August 30 for a month, has been extended multiple times.

The Delhi government may end its power amnesty scheme on May 31. The scheme offers resolution of various complaints related to electricity theft, inflated bills, etc.

The ‘Bijli Bill Vivad Samadhan Scheme’, which was launched by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on August 30 for a month, has been extended multiple times. (Hindustan Times)

The ‘Bijli Bill Vivad Samadhan Scheme’, which was launched by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on August 30 for a month, has been extended multiple times.

A senior power department official said there was no plan to extend the scheme beyond May.

“Under the scheme, consumers in slum clusters are being charged `250 per month for the period in which they have not paid dues. They have the option of paying it in instalments over six months. The late payment surcharge had been waived for them. All criminal or civil proceedings were also withdrawn against those who voluntarily disclosed having tampered with meters. There is, however, no plan to extend it,” he said.

The official said till April 1, 68,000 cases had been settled under the scheme.

The Delhi government has simplified the procedure to apply for an electricity connection for all consumers in the capital.

Power secretary Sukesh Kumar Jain on Monday said the government recently advised the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) to make the electricity connection application form simpler. He said the DERC had been asked to reduce the number of documents to be enclosed to only two irrespective of load and category.

At present, the documents needed to be submitted are proof of ownership, ID proof, test report, architect certificate, address proof, indemnity bond, NOC of owner, etc.

Jain said the proposal had been implemented and now consumers seeking electricity connection in Delhi would apply through a simpler form that required one to enclose only two documents.

The officer said the step would help commercial and industrial consumers in the capital.