BSES to hold Lok Adalats for power theft cases on December 9-10

BSES, one of Delhi's two electricity distribution companies (discoms), on Wednesday announced that special Lok Adalats to settle power theft cases in the areas under its jurisdiction will be held on December 9 and 10.

In a release here, the discom said notices had been sent in this regard to 20,000 consumers of both BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL) who are "litigants" in power theft cases.

"This is the last opportunity being provided to these consumers to settle their power theft cases," a BSES statement said.

"In case of a default, the company will be compelled to initiate criminal proceedings against these consumers under the relevant provision of Electricity Act, 2003," it added.

The Lok Adalats are being 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, ITO, Near Mata Sundari College, the statement said.

The two-day Lok Adalats will provide BSES 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.

"Cases that are either pending in any court of law or are yet to be filed in any such court will be taken up by the Lok Adalat," the statement said.

"Customers desirous of settling their power theft cases can either attend in person or through their authorised representatives," it added.

To reduce the response time for disposal of cases, a total of 38 courts (BRPL-20, BYPL-18) will be set up for the purpose, the discom said.

As per its environment friendly policy, BSES has decided to make proceedings at the Lok Adalats a paperless affair.

"There will be no physical movements of files and all relevant case documents and files will be accessed through 40 computers deployed for the purpose," the statement said.

"The last 14 special Lok Adalats have seen around 22,000 cases with a value of around Rs 150 crore getting settled on the spot. We are expecting a good response to this Lok Adalat as well," a BSES spokesperson said.

--IANS

bc/bg