BSES Lok Adalats to settle power theft cases on February 10-11

New Delhi, Feb 6 (IANS) Electricity distribution company BSES on Tuesday announced that special Lok Adalats will be held on February 10 and 11, to settle power theft cases here in the areas under its jurisdiction.

The two-day Lok Adalats will provide BSES customers in the capital a one-time opportunity for an amicable and on-the-spot settlement of cases relating to direct theft and meter tampering.

"Cases that are either pending in any court of law or are yet to be filed in any such court will be taken up by the Lok Adalat," a BSES statement said.

It would also give on-the-spot reconnection facility following settlement of dues, as well as applying for on-the-spot new connections, the discom said in a release.

BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL) will be organising the two-day Lok Adalat on Saturday and Sunday at the Saket and Dwarka courts for the residents of south and west Delhi, it said.

BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL) will be organising the Lok Adalats, in association with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority, on February 10 at the Karkardooma Court for the residents of east and central Delhi.

Noting that the forthcoming special courts were being organised due to popular demand, the discom said it would be the second such Lok Adalat being organised by the BSES since December 2017.

"Around 15,000 letters/notices have been sent to BSES customers/litigants with regard to the Lok Adalats. Of these, the maximum number of cases are from the Najafgargh and Daryaganj divisions," the statement said.

The Lok Adalats organised in December 2017 had settled over 5,600 power theft cases with a value of around Rs 50 crore, it said.

"The last 16 Special Lok Adalats have resolved around 27,600 cases with a value of around Rs 200 crore getting settled on-the-spot," it added.

"Customers desirous of settling their power theft cases can either attend in person or through their authorised representatives," it added.

BSES said it is making special arrangements like setting up Help Desks, "to hand hold each consumer and to make the entire experience as hassle-free as possible".

"Post their settlement orders, customers will be given sufficient time to pay their bills," a spokesperson said.

Further, "cash counters will be set-up, enabling the customers to pay their bills on-the-spot. They can also pay at the designated BRPL/BYPL offices", he added.