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Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Ahmedabad, has
filed a petition before the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission
(GERC), demanding the refund of the reconnection charges collected
by the State-owned distribution companies (DISCOMS) without disconnection
of power.
CERS received many complaints from consumers of Paschim Gujarat
Vij Co. Ltd. (PGVCL) and Uttar Gujarat Vij Co Ltd. (UGVCL) about
their arbitrary collection of Rs.100 and Rs.200 from residential
and commercial consumers respectively for the payment of electricity
bill on/after the due date and without disconnection of power.
CERS approached the GERC for action against these DISCOMS which,
being monopolies, did not bother about GERC directives and regulations.
GERC regulations on the Electricity Supply Code are clear on the
subject. Clause 6.4.1 states that if the electricity bill is not
paid within ten days or as per the due date given on the bill, consumers
will forfeit the prompt payment discount (PPD) or be liable to pay
delayed payment charges (DPC) at prevailing bank rates as the case
may be.
Clause 6.4.7 states that the electricity companies have to issue
15 days’ clear notice separately or on electricity bill for
disconnection of power supply for non-payment of dues and electricity
charges.
CERS had demanded details of consumers in Surendranagar district
whose power supply was not disconnected but reconnection charges
were recovered by the PGVCL. The details provided for November and
December 2006 are shocking where the amount collected from 5,972
consumers as reconnection charges totalled Rs.7,19,580.
When CERS approached these electricity companies for the complaints
received from consumers, the amounts of Rs.100 and Rs.200 were credited
to their bills. But there are lakhs of such consumers from whom
these companies have collected crores of rupees as reconnection
charges amounting to unjust enrichment, violating GERC regulations.
CERS, in its petition, has demanded the refund of reconnection
charges to the consumers and to educate their staff on GERC Regulations
which are normally misquoted. The petitioner has also demanded action
under Section 142 of the Electricity Act, 2003 which imposes penalty
up to Rupees one lakh for each contravention of rule/regulation
and Rs.6000 per day until such violation discontinues. The electricity
companies should give an undertaking that further they will not
violate any regulations.
The Surendranagar District Industrial Association has joined CERS
as a co-petitioner in the case.
Date : 08/06/2007
Pritee Shah
Place: Ahmedabad
Editor
Insight-The
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