Lok Adalats to Resolve Power Theft Cases in Delhi
In order to resolve cases related to electricity theft in the city-state, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) have decided to hold special courts at different places.
BRPL and BYPL are the leading power distribution companies and Joint Ventures between Reliance Infrastructure Limited and the Government of Delhi.
The companies will organize two-day Lok Adalat (community court) on Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10, 2017 in association with Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA).
While BRPL’s Lok Adalat is being organized at the District Courts Saket and Dwarka, BYPL’s is being held at Permanent Lok Adalat Building, ITO (Near Mata Sundari College) and the District Court Karkardooma. The 2-day event will take place between 10 am and 3 pm on each of the two-days.
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The Lok Adalat will provide BSES customers / litigants residing in South, West, East and Central Delhi, a one-time opportunity, for an amicable and on-the-spot settlement of their power theft cases, relating to both Direct Theft (DT) and Meter Tampering (DAE).
Cases that are either pending in any court of law or are yet to be filed in any court will be taken up by the Lok Adalat. Customers desirous of settling their power theft cases can either attend in person or through their advocates / authorized representatives carrying authorisation letter. They should carry their Photo Id and a copy of their theft bill.
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For convenience, BSES says it will facilitate consumers to apply for on-the-spot re-connection / new-connection, after ‘settling’ the case and paying their dues at the Lok Adalat.
It was stated in an official communique released Friday that around 20,000 letters / notices have been sent to BSES customers / litigants with regard to the Lok Adalat. Of these, the maximum numbers of cases are from the Najafgargh and Daryaganj divisions.
To reduce the response time to dispose off cases, a total of 38 Courts (BRPL- 20, BYPL- 18) will be set up for the purpose. Moreover, keeping with BSES’ pro-environment policies, the 2-day Lok Adalat promises to be “green” and an environment-friendly affair.
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BSES and DSLSA are taking special care to make this Lok Adalat a paperless one. There will be no physical movements of files. All relevant case documents and files will be accessible from the around 40 computers that will be deployed for the purpose.
This is stated to be the last opportunity being provided to these consumers to settle their power theft cases. In case of a default, the company says it will be compelled to initiate criminal proceedings against these consumers under the relevant provision of Electricity Act, 2003.
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Announcing the Lok Adalat, a BSES spokesperson said, “The last 14 Special Lok Adalats have seen around 22,000 cases with a value of around Rs. 150 crores getting settled on the spot.”
“We are expecting a good response to this Lok Adalat as well. These special events resolve cases in the quickest possible time. BSES is also making special arrangements, like setting up Help Desks – manned by specially trained officials – to handhold each consumer and to make the entire experience as hassle free as possible,” the spokesperson added.
After their ‘settlement orders’, customers will be given sufficient time to pay their bills. Further, cash counters will be set-up, enabling the customers to pay their bills on-the-spot. They can also pay at the designated BRPL / BYPL offices.
To ensure the success of the Lok Adalat, BSES is taking all possible steps to inform the target customers through various channels. Besides sending letters / notices, Whats App Messages, the company is also running radio spots on popular FM stations.
