Explanations sought by RWAs : URJA

Restructuring of the Tariff Slabs

Draft Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and Ombudsman) Regulation, 2011

Further, your Press Note is silent on the provision of Electricity Act, 2003 (as amended upto date) read with National Eletricity Policy, 2005 and National  Tariff Policy in exercise of which the said Press Note has been issued.

Therefore, the proposed public hearing for refixation of slabs is in contravention of sub section (4) pof section 62 of Electricity Act, 2003 as amended up to date that postulates as under:-

4) No tariff or part of any tariff may ordinarily be amended, more frequently than once in any financial year, except in respect of any changes expressly permitted under the terms of any fuel surcharge formula as may be specified'

The Press Note also highlights the complete non application of mind by the Commission at the time of fixing tariff under which the slabs were revised.

As per Para 8.2.1 ofthe National tariff Policy it was obligatory on the part of the Commission to institute a system of independent scrutiny of financial and technical data submitted by the licensees.

Therefore, you are requested to please clarify in exercise of which power of any ofthe Act, Rules andPolicies  the Public Hearing for restructuring of the Tariff Slabs is being held.

Looking forward to hear from you.

Yours Truly

Anil Sood

Change of Tariff Slabs

The Secretary,

DERC, Viniyamaki Bhawan, C-Block,

Malvya Nagar,

New Delhi.

 

Subject: Change of Tariff Slabs ......... Rectifying a Mistake ....... in contravention of Section 62 of Electricity Act-2003.

 

Sir,

 

The proposed public hearing for refixation of slabs/tariff is in contravention of sub section (4) of section 62 of Electricity Act, 2003 as amended up to date that postulates as under:-

 

4) No tariff or part of any tariff may ordinarily be amended, more frequently than once in any financial year, except in respect of any changes expressly permitted under the terms of any fuel surcharge formula as may be specified'

 

The Press Note also highlights the complete non application of mind by the Commission at the time of fixing tariff under which the slabs were revised.

 

As per Para 8.2.1 of the National Tariff Policy it was obligatory on the part of the Commission to institute a system of independent scrutiny of financial and technical data submitted by the licensees.

 

Therefore, you are requested to please clarify in exercise of which power of any of the Act, Rules and Policies the Public Hearing for restructuring of the Tariff Slabs is being held.

 

Further for your future reference I wish to Remind you of the Rationale for having a Slab System.

 

1. SLABS ARE FOR AVERAGING POWER PURCHASE COST:- Slabs were made to Average out the Power Purchase costs of DISCOMS ........ You may not be aware of the Fact .... but it is common Knowledge that Power Purchase Cost vary between Re. 1.08 per unit to as much as Rs. 6 per Unit or more.

 

2. 80% OF POWER PURCHASED IS FOR LESS THAN Rs. 2/- PER UNIT:- It is to be noted that 80% of the power purchased by DISCOMS is at under Rs. 2/- per  unit as per various credible sources and Power Exchange Data. It was for this Reason that we have been demanding in several DERC Public Hearings that DISCOMS be made to place on the website  on a WEEKLY BASIS total Power Purchased, What Price, what Quantity and what Source. Our information shows the expensive Power Purchased by DISCOMS during Peak Load is a mere 20% of total Power consumed in Delhi during Peak Summers and Winters.

 

3. PROTECT THE INTEREST OF PRUDENT RETAIL CUSTOMER:- Slab System was introduced not only to Average Out but also  to Protect the Interest of the Prudent/Conservative Small Retail Customer and to encourage and give incentives  to customers to stay within the lower slab to CONSERVE ENERGY.

 

4. ONE CITY - ONE TARIFF - ONE TREATMENT:- Slabs should be in tune to todays ground reality ...... last year we had demanded that Slab System of NDMC area be applied in the rest of Delhi as was the case during DVB Days. DERC to benifit the DISCOMS changed the Slab system of NDMC Area also, while NDMC never asked for any Tariff Revision as they were in Profits. What pressure was DERC working under and what Data was placed before it by NDMC that they took this decision of changing their slabs and Tariff or was it to deflect criticism on our demand for ONE CITY - ONE TARIFF which stands even TODAY.

 

5. WHY SHOULD CUSTOMER PAY FOR GOVERNMENT/DISCOMS APATHY :- Customers today have to shell out money for consuming upto 200 units per month just to overcome Governments and DISCOMS short comings. They are forced to use  Water Pumps to draw water that too in Peak Summer Months, RO System/Water Purifiers are needed all year round due to poor Quality of water, Mosquito repellents too need Power to run, Inverters and Voltage Stabilizers have to be installed and consume Power, night lamps and other lights are left on at night in the absence of Street Lights etc. DERC should have the first slab at 200 units @ Re. 1.25 per unit.

 

6. RIGHT TO EDUCATION - 100 UNITS FREE TO EVERY STUDENT: Today all the students use computers and to encourage a Knowledge Society this Welfare step must be taken and give relief to parents.

 

7. STOP SUBSIDISING THE POWER GUZZLERS AND CHARGE THEM COMMERCIAL RATES:- Fewer Slabs and at higher levels Penalize the Prudent and lower Consuming Customers and benefits the energy Guzzlers consuming over 1000 units. It is because of Energy Guzzlers that DISCOMS have to buy expensive Power during Peal Load periods. The current Tariff of Rs. 6.10 per unit in Slab of over 400 units should be raised to 700 units and the price lowered. Energy Guzzlers should be charged Commercial Rates of power for all units consumed beyond 1000 units ..... in the current system these high consumers are actually subsidised by the prudent customer.

 

8. SUGGESTED SLABS & TARIFFS TILL CAG AUDIT ESTABLISHES THE TRUE PICTURE:- Keeping NDMC structure of 2011 as Bench Mark till CAG Audit. New slabs/pricing ......  0  to 200 units @ Rs.1.25 per Unit. 201 to 300 units @  Rs. 2.10 per unit. Next 100 units @ Rs.3.00 per unit. Next 100 units @ Rs. 4.10 per unit. 500 to 700 units @ Rs. 5.15 per unit. 700 to 1000 units @ Rs.6.10. Beyond 1000 units should be charged Commercial Rates at highest slab to curb Extravagant use of Scarce Resource.

 

IT IS EXPRESSLY BROUGHT TO YOUR NOTICE THAT POWER TARIFFS HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY FALLING SINCE 2009 ONWARDS AS THERE HAS BEEN A HUGE CAPACITY BUILDUP. DISCOMS HAVE NOT BEEN PRUDENT IN THEIR POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND HAVE BEEN INDULGING IN CARTALIZATION AND FAVOURING SISTER CONCERNS TO GIVE THEM WINDFALL PROFITS.

 

This is without prejudice to any other submission that may be submitted at the time of hearing.

 

Warm Regards,

 

sd/-

 

Rajiv Kakria

DERC Performance standards ?????

Dear Friends,

 

All the protests will be futile once these Dangerous Clauses become Law.

 

Such are the ways of DERC ...... that I am forced to write Letters such as this. You may remember a few weeks back I had spoken of 'THE DANGEROUS LOOT CLAUSE' was inserted in the Draft Performance Standards Resolution in Contravention of the Electricity Act, making Permanent the Profiteering by DISCOMS through Fast Running Meters.

 

Now the CUNNING manner in which DERC has again inserted a 'DANGEROUS RANSOM NOTE' in the form of a Clause ..........

 

DERC(CGRF& Ombudsman) Regulation: The Regulation 7 of the draft Regulation prohibit the consumers to approach CGRF on the matters related to U/S 126,135 to 139, 152 and 161 contrary to the provisions U/S 42(5) of the EA 2003.

 

Where will the consumer go if the licensee books a consumer wrongly under above sections? I fail to understand how can someone in DERC Draft such a clause, unless they are under some unlawful obligation towards DISCOMS.

 

I had fears of such happenings in DERC that is why I had filed the following Suggestions ........ Please read it carefully, especially Composition of the Forum.

 

Rajiv Kakria

Objections/Comments - Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and Ombudsman

To,

The Secretary,
DERC, Viniyamaki Bhawan, C-Block,
Malvya Nagar,
New Delhi.

Subject: Objections/Comments - Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and Ombudsman
Sir,
I wish to thank DERC on the day when Delhi completes 100 years of its foundation and I do this in the hope that some day we get the Delhi, that was envisaged. DERC has done well to address the issue of Grievance Redressal. We feel that the composition of the Forum along with the Delivery System and Time Frame of Redressal has to be ensured to garner Public Respect.

1. Composition of the Forum: The law states that only three members need to be appointed, however we feel that for effective and fair system there should be five to seven members. Our past experience suggests that two members tend to team up and over rule the third even if the third member is correct. The members should not be former Babus, instead be a composition of Civil society and Ex-Servicemen. Only Babus who have been retired for over five years may be considered, that is the approximate time taken for them to reintegrate with Society, when they too feel the pains like common folks.

2. Co-opt more members: If the law does not allow then co-opt more people from civil society and independent experts as Honorary Members to assist the three members. This will instill confidence in Public.

3. Delivery System and Time Frame: A time bound delivery system should be evolved to address the Grievances of Public. Delays and multiple visits put mental and financial burden on consumers.

4. Punitive Penalties on officials/DISCOMS: It has been noticed that coercive tactics are used by way of exaggerated and inflated recovery claims. This leads to underhand dealings and corruption. Punitive Penalties should be imposed on officials and DISCOMS in cases where recoveries are not found to be within reasonable limit of 10 to 15 percent. It has been noticed that DISCOMS slap notices of recoveries three to four times the actual amount recovered, leading to long delays. Consumer should be compensated for trauma and the same be recovered from the salary of the official.

As requested on earlier occasions, DERC should also call a Public Hearing specifically for Performance Standards and other terms of Agreement with DISCOMS.

This is without prejudice to any other submission that may be submitted at the time of hearing.

Warm Regards,

sd/-

Rajiv Kakria

Chairman, E-Block GK-I, RWA

 

Online petition for CAG AUDIT of Discom's

Yesterday, we crossed the required mark of 100 signatures on the Online Community Petition for the CAG Audit of Discom's with immediate effect. The Online petition will now be sent to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister as well the DERC Chairman on Monday. 

Our point was :

PETITION : Almost an year ago, Delhi Govt had ordered a THOROUGH SCRUTINY of the books of accounts of DISCOM's. Almost six months ago, it had submitted in the Delhi High Court that CAG AUDIT will be done. We are still awaiting the good news.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT : Though the Audited Balance Sheets of DISCOM's exhibit clear profits, still, DERC admits their plea of losses. As a result, power tariff is being revised upwards regularly & consumers are forced to pay at high rates due to monopolistic practices of DISCOM's.

Thanks to all those who joined us in this effort for generating awareness on the issue.

B S Vohra

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front

www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.in

www.RWABhagidari.com

बिजली कंपनियों के खातों की हो सीएजी जांच : आरडब्ल्यूए : Hindustan

बिजली कंपनियों के खातों की सीएजी जांच कराई जानी चाहिए। ये कंपनियां घाटे में होना का गलत दावा कर रही हैं। दिल्ली विद्युत विनियामक आयोग को दिल्ली सरकार ने जो ज्ञापन भेजा है। उससे भी आम जनता को कोई राहत नहीं मिलेगी।

दिल्ली के आरडब्ल्यूए संगठन ने इस पर आपत्ति जताई है। बी.एस. वोहरा ने कहा कि यह व्यवस्था लागू करके दिल्ली सरकार ने एक हाथ से राहत देकर दूसरे हाथ से आम जनता की जेब पर बोझ डाल दिया है। उन्होंने बताया कि बिजली कंपनियों के खाते जांचने के लिए दिल्ली हाईकोर्ट ने भी आदेश दिए थे और ऑडिट कराने के आदेश दिए थे। लेकिन आजतक इस जांच के लिए कोई पहल नहीं की गई है।

with thanks : Hindustan : LINK

RWAs : Please sign the online petition for the CAG AUDIT of DISCOM's !

CAG AUDIT requested with immediate effect ! 

PETITION : Almost an year ago, Delhi Govt had ordered a THOROUGH SCRUTINY of the books of accounts of DISCOM's. Almost six months ago, it had submitted in the Delhi High Court that CAG AUDIT will be done. We are still awaiting the good news.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT : Though the Audited Balance Sheets of DISCOM's exhibit clear profits, still, DERC admits their plea of losses. As a result, power tariff is being revised upwards regularly & consumers are forced to pay at high rates due to monopolistic practices of DISCOM's.

Please click the link below and Sign the Petition. Plz share with your friends too so that they could also sign it :

www.avaaz.org/en/petition/CAG_AUDIT_requested_with_immediate_effect/?eLBYzdb

Thanks 

B S Vohra 

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front 

Hindustan Hindi Newspaper : B S Vohra : EDRWAsJF

Hindustan Hindi Newspaper : B S Vohra : EDRWAsJF

घर में रिपेयर वर्क से पहले वॉटर चार्ज

Ab DJB wale gali gali ghoomenge aur soonghte rahenge kisi cement bag ko ya phir kisi badarpur ke theli ko aur chote se kaam ke liye bhi, aapko blackmail karenge ki bhai itne paise de do ya phir challan katege. Log bhi chalan se bachne ke liye unko paise de kar jaan bachayenge. Ek naya tareeka logon ko bevkoof bana kar lootne ka.

Another way of harrasment for the general public. Now DJB persons will start wandering in the roads looking for any cement bag or badarpur & even for the slightest work to be done, they will blackmail to CHALLAN or pay something out of the way. A new way of extortion of money from the poor public.

Thanks

B S Vohra

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front