Kejriwal to launch govt's amnesty scheme for power consumers

Delhi government will launch its one-time amnesty scheme for power consumers on Sunday, aimed primarily at AAP's key support groups, by offering resolution of various types of complaints and grievances pertaining to electricity theft, alleged inflated bills, misuse charges among others.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will launch the scheme, valid till September 30, at Badrinath Park of West Vinod Nagar, that falls under Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's Patparganj constituency.
Under the scheme, consumers of JJ clusters, will be charged Rs 250 per month only for the period for which they have not paid the dues, which they can pay in instalments over six months.

The late payment surcharge has been fully waived off for them. All criminal or civil proceedings will be withdrawn against those who voluntarily disclose having tampered with meters, the government said.
The government said that the move, taken in "public interest" and aimed at providing relief to the poor and medium income group consumers, was necessitated by the existence of large number of complaints, individual resolution of which would take very long time.
"Chief Minister, Power Minister, several MLAs and the Power Department have been receiving large number of complaints from the electricity consumers of Delhi against discoms mainly regarding alleged inflated bills, defective meters, alleged unreasonable penalties imposed in theft cases, misuse charges etc," the government said in a statement.

In cases of power theft and meter tampering, the government is offering "settlement" under which consumers of domestic category with load up to 11 kW booked for direct theft will be eligible for 100 per cent late payment surcharge.

"2/3rd of the balance outstanding amount of the bill will be waived, if they pay the total amount in one go. Otherwise, 60 per cent of the outstanding balance will be waived and balance outstanding should be paid in four monthly instalments," it said.
For misuse or unauthorised use of electricity, consumers won't have to pay late-payment surcharge and their connection will be converted into the correct category.

The discoms have been asked to implement the scheme in their areas by way of organising special camps in association with the respective MLAs.