Power-distribution companies (discoms) will now have to pay a heavy price for unjustified load-shedding.
For the first time in India, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has decided to penalise discoms for unnecessary power cuts.
If the load shed is over 1 per cent of the total power supplied, then a discom will be penalised up to Rs 5 lakh for every two kilowatt-hours of power not supplied.
Two kilowatt-hours of electricity can light about 2,000 light bulbs of 100 watts each.
Discoms will now have to submit weekly reports of power supplied and the amount of load shed to the DERC. The regulator will take action every month, if required.
“This was necessary to put a stop to arbitrary power cuts,” said A.K. Tewary, DERC secretary.
Discoms will not be penalised for any load-shedding caused by reasons beyond their control, such as grid collapse.
“These measures come into play if there is a feeling that discoms are not responsible,” said Arup Ghosh, COO of NDPL, which has already started submitting reports to the DERC.
A BSES spokesman declined to comment on the order.
{{/usCountry}}A BSES spokesman declined to comment on the order.
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