Now Discoms will pay Delhiites if there's a power cut!

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on Tuesday said that power distribution companies will pay consumers on unscheduled and untimely power cuts, Business Standard reported.
 

"In case number of consumers affected is upto 100, the maximum time for restoration of power supply shall be 3 hours and compensation payable shall be Rs.100 per hour per consumer beyond the specified 3 hours", DERC noted.
 

As per the report, DERC stated that compensation amount will be in the range of Rs 50 to Rs 100 on each day of power cut. 

However, the move is likely to increase tariffs for power consumers in the national capital as discoms will transfer extra costs to them. According to the report, DERC decision came after suggestions by ruling party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Under the amendment, Delhi Electricity Supply Code and Performance Standards Regulations, the regulator asked the power discoms to notify about the power cuts in advance and provide a summary of all unscheduled power outages within two days.

 "In case of failure of power supply, the default period for the purpose of payment of compensation shall be reckoned from the time first complaint has been received and upto the time power supply has been restored allowing the margin for stipulated period of restoration", DERC added.

The regulatory body, further said that the affected consumers can approach the Ombudsman if the licensee fails to pay the compensation amount.

"In case the claim for compensation is upheld by the Ombudsman, the compensation shall be determined by the Ombudsman at the rate of Rs. 5000/- or five times the compensation payable as per Schedule-III to these Regulations, whichever is higher".