Haryana discoms extend out-of-court settlement scheme

Haryana's discoms, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) and Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, have decided to extend an out-of-court settlement scheme up to November 30.

The scheme was launched to avoid prolonged litigation and to settle long-pending court cases. The cases can be settled in the Lok Adalat, which is held regularly at all the district headquarters. The scheme would be applicable to cases pending in courts, the district consumer disputes redressal forum, state commission and arbitration, as on February 28, 2013, a spokesman of the DHBVN said in Chandigarh on Sunday.

However, the cases already settled/decided would not be re-opened and the scheme would not be applicable to cases which have been decided in favour of DHBVN. But the cases disposed off on jurisdiction grounds would be treated as pending cases, if the consumer has gone to the civil court, the spokesman said.

He said all disputes where penalties have been levied could be settled under the scheme, provided the consumer pays a reduced amount of 50 per cent of the amount initially assessed, along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent. Disputes on account of levy of development charges are also covered under the scheme.