HC seeks Centre stand on PIL against fixed usage charge calculation by discoms in Delhi

The Delhi High Court today sought response of the Centre, AAP government and electricity regulator DERC on a PIL against the manner in which the power load and fixed usage charges were being calculated by discoms in the national capital.

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Pratibha Rani issued notice to the Power Ministry, Delhi government and the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) and sought their stand on the plea by September 11.

The plea by Sanjana Gahlot and Hargyan Singh Gahlot has challenged a DERC regulation of August last year which allows power distribution companies (discoms) to revise the electricity load.

The petitioners have contended that under the regulation, the discoms were calculating the electricity load by taking four months average instead of the entire year and based on that the fixed usage charges were being increased leading to rise in power tariffs in the national capital.

"In Delhi electricity load/consumption varies considerably during winter and summer months. Taking the average of Maximum Demand (MD) of only four months is arbitrary and gives undue advantage to the discoms," the plea has said.