The Hindu : Regularise single-point scheme, power firms told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 11, 2003

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Regularise single-point scheme, power firms told

By Lalit K. Jha

NEW DELHI FEB. 10. The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has asked the discoms -- Tata Power and BSES -- to give legal status to the single-point scheme being executed by private contractors for supplying electricity to lakhs of people living in the Capital's unauthorised colonies, slum clusters and resettlement colonies.

The discoms have also been asked to explain why DERC tariff rates are not being enforced in areas where electricity is supplied by these sub-contractors under the single-point scheme.

Highly-placed sources in DERC say notices have been issued to the discoms following a large number of complaints from the voluntary organisations, resident welfare associations and people living in these areas alleging that the contractors were extorting money from the people under the single-point delivery system.

"At times they charge Rs. 100 for use of one bulb or one fan per month. This is nothing but simple loot,'' they alleged.

The discoms in their response said the single-point delivery system was a legacy they have inherited from the erstwhile Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB). "We are not responsible for this,'' they said. Following this, the Regulatory Commission asked Delhi Transco to find out the legal status of contractors under the single-point delivery system.

``Under the Delhi Electricity Act, it is only DERC which is authorised to give licence for distribution of power. We have not given any licence, so as of now they are illegal,'' DERC says.

It is learnt that Delhi Transco in its reply said the single-point delivery system was introduced in Delhi by DVB following a Delhi Government order. "But they are unable to show this Government order so far,'' officials said.

Sources said the discoms have been asked to present an action plan to DERC and submit their explanation on February 11. In its notice, DERC is also understood to have addressed the issue of public safety in areas colonies where electricity is supplied by private contractors under this single-point delivery system.

Senior BSES officials said there were as many as 435 private contractors (36 in East, 69 in Central, 219 in South and 111 in West Delhi) providing electricity under the single-point delivery system. "These contractors are providing a 25 per cent rebate on energy consumption and another 2 per cent rebate on account of transformation loss,'' officials said.

On the number of people having connections under the single-point delivery system, BSES officials said that they had no idea and it can only be estimated. "Our job ends at the point where he provide the electricity. We are not bothered thereafter. However, even if one contractors provide power to a minimum of 500 people it amounts to more than 2.25 lakh consumers,'' the BSES official said.

Similarly in Tata Power-managed areas of North and North-West Delhi there are 150 private contractors under the single-point delivery system (40 in civil lines, 38 in Shalimar Bagh, 35 in Mangolpuri, one each in Rohini and Narela and 25 in Bawana). "We estimate about 75,000 consumers,'' a Tata Power official said.

Officials of both Tata Power and BSES conceded that the private contractors were fleecing the consumers. "But, then, we cannot do much as they do not fall under our jurisdiction. It is a legacy which we have inherited from DVB. The matter has now been taken up by DERC which will now give its verdict on the issue,'' the official said.

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