Faulty power bills: HC notice to govt, discom

The high court on Wednesday sought the Centre’s response to a plea seeking damages to consumers from the government and power distribution firm BSES Yamuna for allegedly raising “wrong” electricity bills. Issuing notice to the city government, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, a bench of Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice R.S. Endlaw sought their replies by January 23, 2013. The court issued the notice on a petition filed by social activist Sri Chand Jain who also sought directions to the Delhi government for issuance of guidelines to determine power tariff through bidding process. “Issue directions to respondents to issue guidelines under section 63 of the Electricity Act for determination of tariff by bidding process in the interest of justice,” said the petition.