Electricity

With Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitaran Nigam (DHBVN) and DLF authorities continuing to pass the buck on the matter of improving infrastructure, and 6-8 hour power cuts being the norm, the residents are now in a mood for some 'direct action'.

On Friday, representatives of DLF Qutub Enclave RWA (QERWA) threatened that they would take to the streets for collecting chanda (donations) to improve the power distribution infrastructure in DLF City Earlier, on September 30, QERWA members had announced in a meeting with DHBVN and DLF authorities that they would deduct 25 per cent of the amount from DHBVN bills if the overloaded transformers in DLF City were not upgraded.

R.S. Rathee, president of QERWA, says, "We are caught in the crossfire between DHBVN and DLE" "If this standoff continues any longer, we would have no option but to go to the streets and collect donations. The amount thus collected will be deducted from DHBVN bills," Rathee added.

DLF authorities, however, maintain that they spendRs 50 lakh a yearon the upkeep of the power distribution system in DLF City, although it is DHBVN's responsibility They also say eight transformers of 220 KVA capacity will be provided to DHBVN for various blocks of DLF City On their part, DHBVN officials claim that a joint study conducted by them and DLF officials recently found that there was a shortfall of 68,453 KVA in DLF City and 111km of high tension lines and 68km of low tension lines were required. The total expenditure for the same would amount to Rs 10 crore, they said.

Sources said the total amount to be recovered under FSA works out to Rs 544 crore and, if allowed by Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), it would be passed on to consumers, who will have to pay an extra amount of 50 paise to Rs 1.50 per unit.

Opposed to any more burdening of consumers, representatives of industry and social groups have demanded proactive steps. "Passing on the FSA burden would amount to rubbing salt into the wounds of power consumers who're suffering inflated bills despite non-availability of electricity. Government should announce subsidies. Else, the HERC should make this amount a fixed asset of HVPN,'' said former Haryana finance minister Sampat Singh.

Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) vice-president, Satish Gupta, said the move is "unfortunate''. "National and international market is crumbling and any such move would directly affect trade and industry, making the situation worse. Government must come out with some via media to give relief to consumers.''