BSES Lok Adalats settle a record 5,600 power theft cases

In a successful exercise designed to avoid judicial delays, BSES, one of Delhi's two electricity distribution companies (discoms), has settled a record number of power theft cases with a value of around Rs 50 crore through special Lok Adalats, it announced on Monday.

The computerised Lok Adalats organised over the weekend as a paperless process by BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and its sister discom in the capital, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, settled an unprecedented more than 5,600 cases, acording to BSES release.

"Surpassing all expectations and breaking all previous records, the Lok Adalats, settled over 5,600 power theft cases with a value of around Rs 50 crore. The two-day 'green' Lok Adalats also managed to save over 30,000 A4 size sheets," it said.

"The last 16 Special Lok Adalats, including the ones held over the weekend, have resolved around 27,600 cases with a value of around Rs 200 crore getting settled on the spot," it added.

The Lok Adalats, on December 9-10, were organised by the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and BSES at four premises simultaneously -- the District Courts at Karkardooma, Saket and Dwarka, and the permanent Lok Adalat Building, at ITO.

Describing it as an "unprecedented success", BSES said the special courts provided customers in east, central, south and west Delhi a one-time opportunity for an amicable and on-the-spot settlement of cases relating to direct theft and meter tampering.

"People from various walks of society such as industrialists, businessmen, professionals and even domestic consumers made a beeline," it said.

"Cases that are either pending in any court of law, or are yet to be filed in any such court, were taken up by the Lok Adalats," it added.

According to a BSES spokesperson, customers have been given sufficient time to pay up in all settled cases.

--IANS

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