DERC to appoint agency for testing of faulty meters

Under attack from BJP and Aam Aadmi Party over "inflated" power bills, Delhi's power regulator DERC has decided to appoint an "independent" agency within a month to carry out testing of electricity meters. 

"We feel consumers should have a choice to get their meters tested by an independent agency. The whole process to appoint the agency will be completed within one month," Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chairman P D Sudhakar said. 

He said the Commission has already invited bid from private and government entities having accreditation from National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) which functions under Department of Science and Technology of Government of India. 

Sudhakar said in case a meter is found to be inaccurate, then the cost of carrying out the test will have to be borne by the power distribution company which installed it. But if the meter is found accurate then the consumer will have to pay the fee for testing the meter. 

"In case a meter is found to be fast running, then the concerned power distribution company will have to adjust the past bills accordingly," the DERC chairman said. 

At present, consumers have to approach the private power distribution companies for testing of their meters. Consumers also have the option of preferring testing of meters at Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) in Bangalore through the Public Grievance Cell of Delhi government. 

Both BJP and Aam Aadmi Party have been attacking the DERC alleging that most electricity meters in the city run fast. 

Sudhakar said DERC has already set aside Rs 50 lakh for facilitating third party testing of meters. 

The Commission has also set aside Rs 20 lakh for the Electricity Consumer Advocacy Centre which will have a panel of lawyers who will assist consumers to take up their grievances with Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and courts in Delhi. 

with thanks : Business Standard : LINK : for detailed news.

RTI se Inkaar, Dagiyon se pyar : B S Vohra on India News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=grFqqlJf_o0#at=39

'Bhagidari' celebrates decade with a book

The "Bhagidari" (participation) project, launched a decade ago in the national capital to build an interactive platform between government and citizens, marked its special anniversary with the launch of a book.

"Building a Citizens' Partnership in Democratic Governance", the book launched on the occasion, encapsulates the theory, principles and processes of large-group dynamics. It was co-authored by George Koreth, advisor, Delhi Government, and Kiron Wadhera, consultant, Delhi Government.

The book was launched Friday by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who admitted that at the time of the launch of the Bhagidari project, there was resistance from many political and bureaucratic bodies, who were initially threatened by having to share space with a citizens' group.

"It is you people who vote us, so you people have all the power. Bhagidari process came into being because we wanted the partnership. It took a lot of time to convince local MLAs to accept officers from this project," Dikshit said.

"Then we convinced them if they worked in coherence with them, it would be to their advantage. When there is progress in their area, people will be happy. Getting to be an MLA is not a one-time game, it has to be nurtured," she said.

The Bhagidari process involves participation from people, residents' welfare associations (RWA), market and trade organisations, industry associations, students' eco-clubs, electricity distribution companies, government departments like Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and civic agencies.

with thanks : Business Standard : LINK : for detailed news.

B S Vohra : Total TV : MOOD OF DELHI : KRISHNA NAGAR Part-4 : Delhi Assembly Elections 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0gjsg-X5iE

B S Vohra : Total TV : MOOD OF DELHI : KRISHNA NAGAR Part-3 : Delhi Assembly Elections 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uohzowdY8-4&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL1JL2HBMSfVXSk2jKPavWZxXKvByliXzg

B S Vohra : Total TV : MOOD OF DELHI : KRISHNA NAGAR Part-2 : Delhi Assembly Elections 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiTNVzKc0As

B S Vohra : Total TV : MOOD OF DELHI : KRISHNA NAGAR Part-1 : Delhi Assembly Elections 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qpcPfBE3SsM

Remove the posters in this rainy season !

Dear Friends,

During the monsoons, the posters get soggy and can be easily removed. Pl remove from your areas and post Photos / Videos to motivate others. Let's clean up Delhi during this season.

regards

Col Shivraj

210 Munirka Vihar

New Delhi-110067

Issues faced by residents of Narmada block, Pocket D-6, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

Delhi Development Authority

Vikas Sadan

New Delhi

Sub:  Intimation of issues faced by residents of Narmada block, Pocket D-6, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

Sir/Madam,

We would like to inform you that RWA meeting of residents of Narmada block, Pocket D6 Vasant Kunj, was held at 11 AM on 12^th May 2013 and several issues were discussed which need DDA’s attentionand resolution.

We would like to bring to your notice that even after a long time of paying a heavy amount for maintenance and taking possession of the flats, we are still lacking the basic necessities required to make the area livable.  Here is a point-wise prioritized list of the issues which we would like to you to resolve as soon as possible…

1.     We would like to know the plan on finishing the remaining DDA work, such as flat work, common areas, stairs, lifts, cleaning, street lights, etc.

2.     Most of the lifts in this block are still not operational and in many of them the work has not even started. We would like to know the exact plan on this.

3.     There is huge amount of debris lying in all the common areas which needs to be cleaned.

4.     There is no clarity on how to secure this area and lots of thefts are taking place. We need security guards in sufficient number to monitor the area and restrict access.

5.     The labor of DDA contractor (Mehta Associates, etc..) is still living in this area and we don’t know when they would vacate the premises.

6.     There is no clarity on the timing of water supply. We would also like to know DDA’s plan on starting the Sonia Vihar or other water source or it will continue to be ground water.

7.     Cleaning and covering of sewage and drainage system is to be completed.

8.     We would like to put CCTV cameras in the premises and want to know how can we go forward.

9.     The boundary wall covering Narmada & Saraswati is broken at a couple of places which has made the area very insecure. When would that be repaired?

10.                     We would like to know the schedule and plan for watering the existing plants and planting new plants in the society.

11.                     We would like to get the planning map of Narmada

12.                     We would like to know the cleaning and covering of overhead water tanks in all the towers.

13.                     We would like to know the plan & schedule on allocating the underground parking space.

14.                     The cleaning and covering of sewage and drainage of basement, which is stinking and making the whole foundation insecure.

15.                     We would like to know the plan on making the shopping complex in the area operational.

16.                     We would like to know the procedure of getting the maintenance funds from DDA to RWA and what all be covered for utilizing this fund.

Your Sincerely

Vikram Gehlot

President, RWA Narmada,

Sector D-6 Vasant Kunj

New Delhi

Delhi's power regulator favours CAG audit of private discoms

NEW DELHI: Two days after announcing a five per cent hike in power tariff, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission(DERC) on Sunday said there should be a thorough scrutiny of finances of all three private power distribution companies by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Chairman of the city's power regulator P D Sudhakar said scrutiny of the accounts of the discoms by the CAG will help knowing the actual financial position of the private companies.

"There should be a CAG audit of the accounts of all the private power distribution companies. We have already sent a recommendation to the Delhi government for it," DERC chairman P D Sudhakar told PTI.

The BJP and Aam Admi Party (AAP) have been demanding CAG audit of finances of the discoms, alleging huge financial irregularities by them. However, the discoms are strongly opposed to auditing of their accounts by CAG.

"We finalised the tariff structure after examining their financial positions. But still I would recommend a CAG audit as it will be very different from the auditing we carry out," the DERC chairman said.

The BJP has been seeking CAG audit into finances of discoms referring to a DERC proposal in May 2010 to cut the tariff by around 25 per cent citing their healthy financial position. The Delhi Government had restrained the regulator from going ahead with the tariff order.

with thanks : ECONOMIC TIMES : LINK : for detailed news.

NGO complains against discom

NEW DELHI An NGO has moved DERC against the discom BSES for distributing pamphlets along with power bills to show that the tariff in Delhi is much less compared to other metros. United Residents Joint Association (URJA) wants action against the discom, claiming that the move was aimed at influencing consumers before tariff determination. It cited a 2010 order by the regulatory body where BRPL and BYPL, both under BSES, were sent show-cause notices for speaking on tariff before it was fixed. 

"Discoms are not allowed to issue pamphlets or make statements on tariff once they have submitted their annual petitions and their scrutiny has begun. Any such move is viewed as an attempt to influence the commission or consumers," said Amit Aggarwal, a senior member of URJA. 

with thanks : Times of India : LINK : for detailed news.