Jt Commissioner meet : Hindustan Times : HT Live East

Seminar of awareness among the Senior citizens against the abuse to elders

Help Age India Fighting isolation, poverty, neglect conducted a seminar of awareness among the Senior citizens against the abuse to elders.  Eminent speakers were kind enough in placing their views for the benefit of the elderly persons.  Confederation of Senior Citizens along with affiliated senior Citizens associations participated and took the advantage of the view expressed by the speakers i.e. Justice Leila Seth, Rajiv Mehrotra (MD RITES) and Mr Kurien of the Help age India .

Forwarded for information of all concerned.

Raj Kumar Nanda

World Blood Donor Day : 14th June

General body meeting of Delhi Senior Citizens' Welfare Association,

New Delhi,  Delhi Senior Citizens’ Association (Regd) held its 1st General Body meeting on 8th June 2013 at the India International Centre, New Delhi.  The Chief Guest on the occasion was Prof. Kiran Walia, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Social Welfare, Child and Women Development & Languages.  The Guest of Honour was the renowned Cardiologist  Padamshri Dr. K. K. Agarwal, Senior Consultant Physician, Head Cardiology and Dean of the Board of Medical Education, Moolchand Medicity.

The welfare of the Senior Citizens has become a priority area of concern – both for the government and the Civil Society Organizations such as the RWAs and Registered Senior Citizens’ Associations across Delhi NCR. At present, the population of Senior Citizens in Delhi is estimated at around 2 million, about 1.8% of their total population in the country. 

The Civil Society Organizations work hand in hand with the Government machinery, to continuously uplift the living conditions of the senior citizens – even done on a case to case basis.  At present, around 83 Recreation Centres are being run by the Civil Society Organizations in different areas of Delhi. Prof. Kiran Walia informed that the Social Welfare department of the Delhi government provides these recreational centres with a one time grant of Rs. 75,000/- to cover the basic necessities; in addition a monthly grant of Rs. 20,000/- is also being provided for the operational expenses. 

Prof. Walia further informed that in order to bring dignity to old age, the Senior Citizens shall also be introduced to various schemes and plans which will help them to re-establish themselves and contribute to the society.  She added that her government is gravely concerned about the security of the senior citizens and with the help of the civil Society Organizations a check on the whereabouts, emotional and physical well being of the elderly are being monitored.

Padmashri Dr. Agarwal opined that age is just a number and there are various ways and means by which  senior citizen could help themselves during a crisis of cardiac arrest. He shared and demonstrated some easy to do steps that can be employed during crisis.

On behalf of the office bearers of the Association, Mr. S. S. Rudra, General Secretary shared the activities since inception and some plans for future, the notable ones being a discount of 20 to 30% to the senior citizens affiliated as member of the Association.  These discounts could be availed on the basis of the Photo ID card which are currently under process.

To provide entertainment to the elders, Library – cum - recreational centre in Safdarjung Enclave Club provides facilities such as indoor games, a reading room, skype service to connect to the loved ones in India and abroad, observed Mr. K. K. Kapila, Patron-in-Chief of the Association.  He further added that as a special service, pick up support for those senior citizens who are from the BPL strata or infirm, is being provided since past 1 year.  Model Recreational centres are also being aimed at in prominent places of worship where the Senior Citizens spend considerable time.  Mr. Kapila further elaborated that, “we have also tied up with nearby private hospital to provide discounted services and free ambulance service.  Free tea/coffee and snacks are also provided to the members.  Our main aim is to ensure provide user friendly services as per needs of the senior citizens.

The Delhi Senior Citizens’ Association was set up in April 2012. It had a humble beginning and today membership has grown to over 1000 across Delhi.  The Association is supported by Mr. K. K. Kapila, Patron-in-Chief and Patron Maj. Gen. R.K.Khanna and Mr. Jagdish Dhingra.  The President of the Association is Mr. O. N. Sharma, the Vice President is Shri S.L.Watwani and the General Secretary is Mr. S. S. Rudra.

Day of Russia

Russian Center of Science & Culture jointly with International Federation of Indo- Russian Youth Club presents concert "Gift to Russia" at 24 ferozshah Road Russian Center of Science & Culture Department EMBASSY OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION"Gift to Russia" a Colorful Cultural Program organised to mark Russian National Day on 11th June, 2013 by Russian Centre of Science & Culture jointly organised with International Federation of Indo-Russian Youth Clubs at New Delhi. The program was split into two half. 

With the first half, young people called for ‘Youth Network Dialogue’ session to develop a platform for young people where they can express their innovative ideas to enhance their capacities and participation in the society. Foster youth cooperation worldwide in social, cultural, political and economic life both at national and international level. Also to encourage and stimulate inter cultural dialogue between Russia and India. 

The first session begins with introduction of participants after that valuable presentation about Russian Federation was given by Madam Tatyana. Quiz on Russia was the most interesting part for participants, very well conducted by Yelena Shatapkina Dy. Director of Russian Centre of Science & Culture. At the end of this session Russian souvenir and gifts were presented to the winners of the quiz. 

The second half of the program was focused on Indian dance and music presented by ‘Alien Dance Group’ and choreographed by Aryan Kumar. Artists performed number of energetic performances on different creative ideas and concepts. Friendship of Aliens with humans was liked by the audience. Sufi music with dance composition was brilliant and magnificent. Opening welcome dance called “Ganpati” truly set the tone for the evening with its genuine spirituality. This was followed by Popping of contemporary music and song in beautiful costumes. The program had a massage to inspire victim women towards new hope of success presented by modern dance. 

It was a high quality program presented by Indian young artists and very well conducted by Hina Malik, a social activist from YUVA India Foundation. Without any doubt everybody had a wonderful evening. Cultural program were very well organized and coordinated with the support of ‘Neon Dance Academy’. Bouquet of flowers and souvenirs were presented by Andrei Andreev Dy. Director of Russian Centre of Science & Culture to the artists. 

On the eve of ‘Russian National Day’ Award of Excellence for outstanding friendly services was presented to Yelena Shatapkina, Natalya D. Rozovskaya, Amit Rai, Rajeev Ranjan Singh and Dronacharya Academy. On this occasion Anamika Yaduvanshi, Dr. Arvind Tyagi, Saurabh Gandhi ( Cultural Secy. & Media Adviser Of INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION INDO RUSSIAN YOUTH CLUB), B S Vohra ( RWABhagidari ), Jitender Tyagi, Ginnies Rishi and B S Sokhi were also present to share their congratulation message for Russian friends. 

Vote of thanks was delivered by Purnima Anand, General Secretary of International Federation of Indo Russian Youth Clubs. She congratulated Russian friends and officials on the eve of Russian National Day by expressing profound gratitude for their presence and wishes to celebrate such cultural functions to strengthen long lasting Indo-Russian friendship.

Powerless DELHI ........ Over Provisioning is USELESS in Crisis ....... NEEDLESS in Normal Times

Hi Friends,

 

Powerless DELHI ........ Over Provisioning is USELESS in Crisis ....... NEEDLESS in Normal Times

 

When we say that Over Provisioning of Power is poor management practice and question its wisdom, as it only helps DISCOMs to Palm off losses to consumers and pocket the profits ....... it is termed as BASELESS ALLEGATIONS by DISCOMS.

 

Sample DISCOMs Reply to my Objection in the recent Public Hearing ......

 

Unbridled Over-PRIVISIONING must be capped: Today software’s can predict power consumption patterns with accuracy of +/- 3%. Despite over provisioning Delhi faces un-announced power cuts, so what purpose is over provisioning achieving, other than giving DISCOMS opportunity to indulge in Power Trade and Pocketing the Profits and Passing Losses to the Consumers. A scientific Audit/Study involving Consumption Patterns must be conducted to look into the prevailing situations and all these transactions be scrutinized for deals between sister concerns or Cartelization and cost/prices verified with the prevailing Rates in the Power Exchange.

 

DISCOM REPLY: "Entire Power Purchase is approved by the Hon'ble Commission; hence question of Over Provisioning does not arise. Infact, Provisioning is done taking into account the peak demand plus a reasonable margin, so that uninterrupted 24X7 power supply can be ensured to the Consumers.

With regards to the allegation of 'pocketing the profits and passing losses to consumers', the same is strongly denied as baseless and without any substance."

 

For the past week Delhi is facing unscheduled Power Cuts ...... The Power Minister and Delhi CM tried to pass it off as Local faults, when cuts persisted the Ageing Infrastructure was blamed, NOW WHAT ........ sooner or Later TRUTH comes out ........ OVER PROVISIONING IS USELESS.

 

STOP BURDENING THE CONSUMERS AND START APPLING YOUR HEAD, we have been telling you, but you have been deaf to our cries.

 

Please Suffer the PPP Pangs ..... Water is next ...... :)

 

I reproduce below the Objections I had raised at the recent DERC Public Hearing.

 

Warm Regards,

 

Rajiv Kakria

Petition for approval of True-Up

The Secretary,

Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission,

C-Block, Malviya Nagar,

New Delhi.

Sub: Public Notice on Request for public response for Petition for approval of True-Up for FY 2011-12, Review of FY 2012-13 and Aggregate Revenue Requirement and Tariff for FY 2013-14

Sir,

We the citizens are supposed to be the Eyes and Ears and the Regulators the Voice to Protect Consumer Rights. When electricity regulators were first set up in the early years of the last decade, they were seen as reform agents.

We the Petitioners on behalf of Power Consumers have a different take on DERCs functioning. We have reasons to believe that over time DERC has been consumed by the bane of the Indian System called Political Interference, DERC has been working for the un-holy nexus of the Government and Private Enterprises to fleece consumers and to give maximum profits to the Private DISCOMS.

The raising of tariffs, and that too in stiff doses over the past 18 months, points beyond the tariff hikes, the manner in which DERC has been taking Cues from Delhi Chief Minister’s Statements and throwing reasoned facts placed before it to the wind and increasing Tariffs on arbitrary figures put forth by DISCOMS, points towards corrosion in the regulator's functioning.

I substantiate my accusations and request you to treat this as a Positive Feedback to put the Regulatory Process back on track, lest this malaise puts a Permanent QUESTION MARK on their Credibility.

The Commission should issue directive within the parameters of Section 61 of the Electricity Act, 2003 which stipulates that the Commission shall be guided by the factors which would encourage competition, efficiency, economical usage of resources, grid performance and optimum investment in specifying the terms and conditions for determination of tariff. 

Therefore, please look up my earlier objections/suggestions dated 24-01-2009, 05-11-2009, 21-02-2010, 09-06-2011, 21-06-2011(two letters), 25-07-2011, 08-11-2011, 12-12-2011, 09-02-2012, 03-10-2012 our demand has been constant with no relief from DERC. To ensure proper accounting, audit and efficient performance to optimize resource use, the Commission should look into the following aspects:-

1. Ensure Transparent Power Purchase Mechanism: Power Purchase costs have been falling since 2009 onwards, Power is available for as low as Rs. 1.08. A few days back it was reported NORTH INDIA GETS MORE POWER FROM SASAN of which Delhi Quota is 447-MW @ Rs. 1.19/- per unit.

The Hon'ble LG of Delhi states in his address to the Vidhan Sabha on 13-03-2013 that Power gave a Profit of Rs. 30,000/- Crores. Earlier the Delhi Power Minister had stated that DISCOMS have not deposited Delhi's share of Tariffs collected. WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?

The Act provides that the Appropriate Commission may fix the trading margin, if considered necessary. Though there is a need to promote trading in electricity for making the markets competitive, the Appropriate Commission should monitor the trading transactions continuously and ensure that the electricity traders do not indulge in profiteering in situation of power shortages. Fixing of trading margin should be resorted to for achieving this objective.

We have on numerous occasions asked DERC to get DISCOMS to place on the website every fortnight details of Power Purchased, like Quantity, Price, Source etc so that consumers can verify the prevailing competitive costs in the Market. Cartelization has to be stopped and purchases amongst sister concerns have to be discouraged.

2. Unbridled Over-PRIVISIONING must be capped: Today software’s can predict power consumption patterns with accuracy of +/- 3%. Despite over provisioning Delhi faces un-announced power cuts, so what purpose is over provisioning achieving, other than giving DISCOMS opportunity to indulge in Power Trade and Pocketing the Profits and Passing Losses to the Consumers. A scientific Audit/Study involving Consumption Patterns must be conducted to look into the prevailing situations and all these transactions be scrutinized for deals between sister concerns or Cartelization and cost/prices verified with the prevailing Rates in the Power Exchange.

3. Distribution Loss should be treated as Business Loss and not part of Tariff: POWER THEFT IS DISCOMS BUSINESS NECESSITY... how else will they hide the UNEARNED PROFITS from Residual Back Flow (25% to 40%) ..... and keeps their Political Masters Vote Banks happy with Free Stolen Power .... while the honest consumer is made to pay for the loss. Please make public how many Distribution Transformers are making Negative Loss ......

International standards for distribution loss is 3%. There is no incentive for DISCOMS to curb Theft as such losses are allowed to be offseted through Tariff, it also helps them get into clandestine commercial deals.

4. Stop Subsidizing the Power Guzzlers: The DISCOMS have to make Over Provisioning and buy Expensive Power because of Energy Guzzlers during Peak Loads. The cost of Over Provisioning should be passed on to only those who are in the first place responsible for excess drawl ie. those consuming over 1250 units per month ..... in the current system these high consumers are actually subsidised by the Prudent Consumer.

5. Credible Auditing Procedures: As electricity business comes under the preview of Electricity Act, 2003, the accounts pertaining to electricity are required to be prepared separately and got audited. The accounts of the licensee need to be prepared on commercial principles. DERC in its admission to Delhi High Court stated that they have no expertise in auditing the Voluminous Data provided by DISCOMS so how did they come to a precise figure of 21.83% tariff Hike in August 2011?

The petitioners on the other hand have in their possession Data that the three DISCOMS in Delhi are in Profits after paying taxes, NDPL- Rs. 351cr, BRPL Rajdhani - Rs. 187cr and Yamuna - Rs. 77cr (year 2009-10). In the absence of proper Auditing Guidelines DERC works on whatever is provided by DISCOMS and we all know how Private Auditors handle records, remember SATYAM.

When Private operators were handed over charge Delhi showed 65% T&D losses today that figure is 16% and falling ……. Not a single paisa of revenue gain has been passed on to the consumer. Instead in the past 10 years Huge Hikes have been allowed, to fleece the over burdened Middle Class.

In terms of the Section 61 (g) of the Act, the Appropriate Commission shall be guided by the objective that the tariff progressively reflects the efficient and prudent cost of supply of electricity. Now what Prudence have we seen in the above style of functioning?

6. Performance Standards: RWAs have been demanding strict Compliance in the Matching of Neutral to the Absolute Earth Potential as per relevant Act/Code. This alone is the main cause of Fluctuations and Spikes, resulting in damaging expensive household appliances like TV, Fridge, AC etc and unnecessary expenditure on Voltage Stabilizers. Performance Standards pertaining to Stable and uninterrupted 24X7 Power was one of the reason why Privatization was done. Consumers should be compensated for the losses due to Fluctuations and Spikes and be a part of Schedule I of Guaranteed Performance Standards. In the absence of any punitive provisions DISCOMS do not find it important to invest in such infrastructure.

Uninterrupted 24X7 Power Supply has remained a dream that was sold to bring in Private Players. Rampant power cuts are keeping the Inverter Industry alive and the consumer foots the bill for charging and maintaining inverters amounting to average Rs. 1200/- per month. Are these the Performance Standards that were envisaged in the Act to be in place on or before 2007? DISCOMS cannot be allowed to Charge Five Star and Serve Dhaba.

7. Conduct Energy Audit: Like Air and Water, Power too is essential for existence. This is not a luxury anymore and high use domestic consumers are already paying higher slab rates. Today citizens have to use power for basic living and also for Government's inefficiency. From motors to draw water to water purifiers ...... from inverters to voltage stabilizers ...... Mosquito repellents all point to unnecessary power consumption due to Govt. Apathy. Computers, Refrigerators, Televisions are as much a part of daily life as Air and Water and cannot be treated as luxuries.

The energy Audit should Revisit Public Service Entitlement Code, Babus went on an overdrive installing AC's in Govt. offices throwing the rule book on entitlement to the wind. Gone are the days when Rs. 20,000/- AC's were needed to protect Rs. 5 lac PC's. Today PC's are more robust and very cheap and do not require Air Conditioning to operate. Remove AC's from offices of those not entitled for the same. Why should consumers subsidise government officials' fancy life style? Who decides how much power is needed to keep the Govt. cold to people’s miseries?

The Energy Audit should also look into the Energy Guzzlers in Industry, Commercial Establishment, Street Lighting, Neon Signs, Hoardings etc. The industry and Commercial establishments recover the Energy Component from the consumer in the form of the Final Product Cost.

We see no reason that Energy Guzzlers like Government Departments, Hospitals (both Govt. and Private), Private Schools, Corporate Offices, Malls, Banquets, Farm Houses etc. be allowed to burden the Domestic Consumer by way of eating up the Cheap Power Quota Available from NTPC, SEBs etc.

Delink Power consumed by Domestic consumers and let Power Guzzlers buy power from open Market, right now there is no incentive for them to conserve energy as they recover their life style from the cost of their Product or Service.

8. End Monopoly: Open Access was to have been in place by the year 2009, it has remained a Pipe Dream even in Delhi, with Regulators and Government playing in the hands of Private Players.

What’s more the DERC is making some DISCOMSs permanent fixtures by investing in expensive exercise of Time of Day Metering System and asking these very Private Players to invest and put up equipment to measure Usage Patterns. Once such huge investments are made how will DERC ask them to make way for Open Access Policy.

9. Fuel Charge Adjustment: This is another head in which Lack of Transparency is working against the Consumers. What is the total component of Fuel Cost in the Production of Power? We believe it is not more than 15%, a little higher in case of inefficient Plants. How can DERC allow 2%,5% and 7% as Fuel Charge Adjustment ….. we know now for a Fact that Mr. Manmohan Singh Gifted Coal Blocks for free, we also know that DISCOMS have not been paying their Dues to NTPC and others for the power Purchased (the Govt. had to bail them out with our Rs. 500cr package), so where is the question of Fuel Cost Adjustment and that too, a hefty 50% increase for something they got for free. In a CERC meeting it was brought to light that NTPC has no scientific system of calculating fuel cost and the Power Producer ie NTPC itself decides how much should be the increased charge ..... ARBITRARY and protested by all DISCOMS.

10. Fast Running Electronic Meter: It has been noticed the residents are paying 25% to 40% higher bills. Experts have informed us that this is due to the Three Phase with Single Neutral Distribution Transformers, where in the Residual Back Flow gets recorded in the meter reading, therefore INFLATED BILLS

.

After three years of sustained efforts this issue was addressed by DERC by inserting an Ad. in news papers on 24th Dec. 2011, putting the onus of correcting the flaw on the consumer. The Supply Code clearly states that it is the Duty of the Service Provider to provide a separate Neutral up to the Metering Point. DERC tried to legalise this unearned Profit by excluding this provision for existing consumers of less than 10kw in the Draft Performance Standards ... SHAME.

The remedy lies in implementing Regulation 41 of CEA's Regulations of 2010, which are the statutes in replacement of IE Rules 1956 under section 53 read with 177 0f the IE Act 2003.

Multiple Neutral Earthing System (MNE) provides the solution under Rule 61 of the IE Rules-1956’ which, however, stand repealed with the notification of CEA Regulations -2010. Now regulation No: 41 of the regulations of CEA of 2010 stringently provides for multiple earthing of the ‘Neutral Conductor’. Therefore, implementation of regulation 41 of CEA provides the complete solution to this point being raised by Delhi Consumers ever since the electronic metering has been introduced and not addressed by DERC for reasons best known to them.

We demand an Audit/Field Survey by an Independent Institute of Repute involving the Petitioners, be conducted. Transformer wise Audit of Units supplied and billed for the past three years of Peak Load Periods in Winters and Summers. Excess billing if found should be refunded to the consumers and Punitive Penalty imposed on DISCOMS for breach of trust and willful fleecing of Consumers.

11. Abolish Fixed Charge: The Fixed charge on monthly basis is being levied and recovered from all consumers irrespective of how much Power they consume. We understand that certain fixed costs are involved in bringing electricity to our door step and if some people keep properties locked then a Minimum Charge should be levied. Earlier this was termed as Minimum Charge later very cleverly changed to Fixed Charge and has been increased from Rs. 8/- earlier to Rs.20/- now.

It is to be noted that a consumer is already paying a higher slab rate for higher consumption offsetting the need to charge on the basis of sanctioned load. A One Time Fee for higher load Meters, Wiring and a Security Deposit is already levied. Permitting the DISCOMS to charge Fixed Charge from every consumer on a monthly basis is nothing but charging the consumers twice under two different heads for the same thing.

These are preliminary submissions, I request you to give me an opportunity to elaborate in person before a final decision is taken.

Warm Regards,

Rajiv Kakria

Chairman, E-Block, GK-I RWA.

Sarita Vihar greenest colony in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Sarita Vihar has become the greenest colony of Delhi and other colonies should also emulate the action plan chalked out by colony resident welfare association, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit said on Saturday.

"Different agencies have developed 50 parks and three play fields in the locality with ample greenery in the colony itself. We must commend the efforts of the RWA in making the colony clean and green under its 'Clean and Green' movement initiated in March 2003," she said at a function organised to celebrate the 10th foundation day of the 'Clean and Green' movement initiated by Sarita Vihar RWA.

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Dengue mosquitoes are breeding every where ?

Today morning at 6.15 am while taking a morning walk I noticed several dengue mosquitoes hovering around black pant of a security guard at the gate ofb block east of kailash .

Immediately I brought my camera & took some pictures as enclosed here with showing 7 dengue mosquito on the pant of the guard.

Message :dengue mosquitoes are breeding every where .This is the time to urgently identify the dengue mosquitoes & search its breeding place & eradicate the breeding place. Members of rwa have to be vigilent ,have to learn as to how to identify the dengue mosquito,have to be on the look out to detect dengue mosquitoes & if detected to search & eradicate its breeding place.One has to learn & teach for safety of ourself & of our own family members.

Most probably these mosquitoes are breeding in the covered drain near the gate.I have informed the colony secretary .

Dr V K AGGARWAL

Seminar for Society Peoples for awareness of Law & Order

Dear Sir, I appreciate your line of actions , which is required to educate the peoples , how they can fight with the Un-Justice , Crime and Corruption . Recently Our  Society has arranged small seminar for Society Peoples for awareness of Law & Order and rights of women. Advocate Ms Mukesh - Rohini Court was appointed for One hour lecture  to educate to the Society Peoples for their Right's .   Photo attached Ajay Gupta Secretary Pragati Co-op Group Housing Society Ltd.

RWA brings succour to deserted woman

Thanks for the commendable news item circulated! This is what is meant "Welfare" in the real sense of the term. The RWAs and Housing Societies have to play such a vital role to give succour to such people! We must heartily congratulate and richly compliment the RWA at Pritampura who did an yeoman service to the lady which is unparalleled in our annals! The RWA has set an outstanding and shining example which could be emulated by others. Hope this draws due attention of all RWAs to enlighten them and educate them what a pivotal role they could play in the society. This is the real human selfless service indeed!

TK Balu/Anand Vihar

I appreciate the support given by the neighbors to an aggrieved lady, such should be the attitude of the society in general.

Raj Kumar Nanda