DERC penalises BSES for violation of rules

New Delhi: Delhi's power regulator DERC (Delhi Electricty Regulatory Commission) as slapped a Rs 20,000 penalty on a distribution company for "violation" of rules in a 10-year-old case of power theft.

The DERC imposed the penalty on BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) on a petition filed by director of AK Mehta and company, alleging violations of provisions of the Delhi Electricity Supply Code and Performance Standards Regulations, 2007.

The Commission in its order on June 14 found that respondent BRPL has violated provisions of Regulations 52(viii) and 53(ii) of the Delhi Electricity Supply Code and Performance Standards Regulations, 2007. "For violation of Regulations 52 (viii) and 53(ii) the Commission imposes penalty of Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000 for each violation, to be paid within 30 days of the order," it said.  

In a case of dishonest abstraction of energy (DAE), a power meter of the petitioner was sent to National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and he was informed through a letter of respondent (BRPL) dated December 10, 2008.

"The respondent failed to produce evidence of seizure memo of the date of removal of meter. The meter was removed on December 10, 2008. Hence, the respondent violated the Regulations 52 (viii) of Delhi Electricity Supply Code and Performance Standards Regulations, 2007," the order stated.

Regulation 52 (viii) of  Supply Code, 2007, says that in case of suspected theft of power, the authorised officer will remove the old meter under a seizure memo and seal it in the presence of the consumer or his representative.

The order also found violation of Regulation 53 (ii) of Supply Code, 2007, according to which after personal hearing, the licensee(discom) will pass within three days, a speaking order as to whether the case of theft is established or not.