NEW DELHI: Amid growing complaints over electricity connections, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has stated that no upfront payments or prior site visit by discom officials is required when applying for new connections.
DERC is mandated to regulate and supervise the electricity utilities of Delhi and their operations, including the supply of electricity by power distribution companies (discoms) of Delhi, namely TPDDL, BRPL, BYPL and NDMC. In a public notice issued on Wednesday, the Commission stated that the Supply Code Regulations, 2017, lay down the provisions for easy and timely release of electricity connections by discoms.
It lists various ease of doing business steps required for new connections, such as no upfront payment for new connections and connections to be provided by the discoms without any prior site by visit by their officials to the property concerned.
The payment for new connections and meters installed is added to the monthly electricity bills, it said. Charges for new connections are fixed as per the DERC Schedule, and the discoms can not charge any additional costs, said the notice.
A self-declaration about the testing of internal wiring through a licensed electrical contractor needs to be submitted by the applicants for new connections. Importantly, people can approach the consumers’ grievances redressal forum (CGRF) of any discom to complain against violations of Supply Code Regulations, it said.