हरियाणा में नए बिजली कनेक्शन देने में सर्विस केबल देने के नाम पर क्या भ्रष्टाचार चल रहा है ? Is there a scam in providing new electricity connection in Haryana?

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Electricity both generation and distribution in India are covered under the Electricity Act. The present posts deal with the distribution of electricity to the consumers as it is being disseminated from the issues being faced by the consumers.

The electricity is being distributed to the last milestone which is the consumer by the electricity distribution companies prominently termed as Discoms or Licencees. Discoms are both in the private sector as well as state-controlled companies such as PSUs. The distribution of electricity to the consumers through distribution companies (DISCOMs) whether in private or State PSUs is regulated by the regulations framed by the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions under the Electricity Act. The State Electricity Regulatory Commission frames service regulations keeping in view to protect the interest of the consumers. The tariff is also regulated by the Electricity Regulatory Commissions and it reviews the same periodically, normally through open house discussions. Since the present post pertains to an issue faced by a consumer in the District of Faridabad in the State of Haryana, hence most of the regulations of the State of Haryana would be referred. However, in principle, the regulations across the country are more or less similar with a difference in service benchmarks and penalties for not adhering to the benchmarks as stipulated by the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERC).

Haryana

The electricity in Haryana is being distributed by two State Controlled PSUs viz. Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd. (DHBVN) for the consumers in the southern part of Haryana and Uttari Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBV) for the consumers in the Northern part of Haryana. The distribution of electricity in Haryana is covered under the regulations framed by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC). Some of the regulations of HERC and Govt of Haryana in the distribution of electricity to the consumers are:

  1. Standards of Performance for electricity distribution companies with a benchmark of services and penalties thereof for not adhering to. 
  2.  Electricity Supply Code
  3.  Provisioning of new electricity connection
  4.   Replacement of defective/burnt meters
  5.   Metering
  6.   Consumer grievance handling system
  7.  Theft of electricity plus many more
  8.   Right to Service Act ( as per State Government)
  9.   Citizen Charter

The present scope of this article is emanating from an issue reported by a domestic consumer/ applicant for the proposed/ scheduled shifting of his residential accommodation to Greenfield Colony, Faridabad who had scheduled shifting to the new premise in Faridabad during Corona Pandemic (End June 2020) and applied for a new connection on 19th June 2020 through an online application. All the charges as laid down in the regulation for provisioning of new connections as demanded by DHBVN were also paid through an online payment system. The author of the blog has continuously been assisting the consumer to facilitate him in getting a new connection and therefore the author has also initiated some of the communications with the officials of DHBVN at Faridabad as well as in their head office at Hisar as the consumer was feeling harassed. The sequence of events as shared by the consumer is stated hereinafter.

With this blog, the author wants to raise some questions on the basis of his experience/ interaction with the DHBVN Department to get/ assist the consumer for electricity connection and get some clarifications/ answers to the questions which are probably not available for the public and/ or otherwise kept hidden for ulterior motives. There is a strong need to bring transparency as the consumers also do lack knowledge and awareness on the subject. Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission is also appealed to look into the affairs as the author find some of the provisions of the HERC regulations have been distorted/ hidden from the consumers for unethical business gains either at an individual level or the organization level and virtually the consumers left to feel harassed or blackmailed as in the present issue.

The sequence of events:   

             

  1. 19th June 2020 – Online submission of an online application for a new connection on DHBVN website. Application number F13-620-197
  2.  19th June 2020 - As per application for a load of 6 KW, the fees shown on the website i.e. INR 12730/- paid online. The details of the payment are in the attached image.
  3. 19th - 23rd June 2020 - Multiple documents requested by DHBVN on status column uploaded on the website
  4.  23rd June 2020- Status updated. Date of issue of Service Connection Order - 23/06/2020. Service connection order approved.
  5.  6th July - Lineman (One Mr. Ajay) calls consumer to inform that the connection can be installed today and I (the consumer) will have to arrange for the wire/ cable (total length of approx 30 Mtrs.) 
  6. I (the consumer) informed the lineman that I somewhere have read this online on DHBVN website that the wire for connection (up to 30 meters) is provided by the Department itself. So I need a few hours to check this fact again on the website. 
  7. The lineman denies on the call and says the rules have changed and what you may be reading must be older rules and you can confirm this with JE Sir as well. And that he (the lineman) can take me (the consumer) to the shop to get the wire/ cable to be purchased by me.
  8.  6th July - I (the consumer) requested a consumer activist (Ex-Project Manager of a project of Department of Consumer Affairs) to look into the matter to check if this demand of additional money for arranging the wire is genuine and whether the service cable is the responsibility of the consumer or the DHBVN. The consumer also stated that if any more amount is to be deposited, he would do so immediately through an online payment system directly to DHBVN. It was refused by the linemen. 
  9. 7th July - I (consumer) mailed my queries on DHBVN ID (1912@dhbvn.org.in ) to seek an official response on the existing rules if the wire is to be arranged by the consumer or the Department
  10.  7th July - Within 5 minutes of sending an email, the status of my application on DHBVN website updated. The letter titled 'Release Of Connection' reads the status as "Connection was energized on 7th July". However, this was misleading as no connection was provided or energized. The installation report was generated without providing any connection either on the pole or to the premise of the consumer shocked both the consumer as well as the author of the blog. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of senior officials. While the  Vigilance Department of DHBVN was also informed of the irregularities prevailing in the DHBVN, it was also requested by the author to have a joint surprise visit to the site so as to reveal the facts. No visit was made despite bringing such a report being fabricated by the PSU employee (never heard of) on 7th July 2020. The conduct of officials of DHBVN in generating a fake and fabricating an installation report had not only degraded the belief and image of the confidence imposed by the public on not only on DHBVN but also across the board of PSUs.    
  11.  8th July - The Lineman (Mr. Ajay) calls and says that he is coming in 5 minutes to install the meter. On this call, he did not ask for any wire/cable arrangement this time. Two linemen visited the site and affixed the meter on the pole and then left without the premises of the consumer being electrified. After the meter got affixed on the pole, SDO shared the photo of the pole with the Author of the blog on 8th July 2020 through an email. A copy of the installation report which was generated as a fake document certifying that the meter has been installed on 7th July 2020 without the installation actually being done is attached. Lineman (Mr. Ajay) reached the premises with one more person and started installing the meter. In their conversation, they mentioned that it is because of your complaint, JE has instructed up to 8-10 meters wire to be provided from Pole to the meter only. Further wire to the point of the building will have to be arranged by the consumer.  The linemen refused to install the meter in the area of stilt parking as requested by the consumer and instead it was installed on the pole outside the premises. The pole is somewhat about 7 to 8 apart from the boundary of the Stilt parking in the building. This area is immediately near the entrance without any restriction to any of the person and is an open space and hopefully, it meets the requirement for the supply of electricity to the premise as per HERC regulations. However, it seems, there were some ulterior motives in the mind of DHBVN officials, hence the same was installed on the pole with about 3 ft. of output cable hanging on the pole. The linemen left the premises without providing any electrical connection to the premise of the consumer. The behavior of DHBVN staff and officials left many questions that need to be investigated as it primarily suggests corruption in supply of service cables across the District/ State etc. Surprisingly DHBVN officials fail to confirm when requested that the requirement of providing the service cable from the consumer is in line with the HERC regulations. It is left to the best of the judgment of any person of general caliber with the application of its mind as to whether it can be claimed that if the meter is installed on the pole with 3 ft. of cable hanging on the pole can be termed as the connection provided to the consumer or it is still with DHBVN like any other feeder cables. 

 Post this; The consumer followed up with the DHBVN team to have an official confirmation on the matter so that premises of the applicant may be energized completely. The consumer last email on 9th July 2020 followed by reminder dtd. 15th July 2020 reads:

 “Dear DHBVN Team,

Please note that no connection has been provided to my premises till date. 

Further to the request made by DHBVN to arrange for the wire from pole till my house, I will arrange the same.

In this regards,

· Please confirm the technical specifications of the wire needed to be arranged by myself.

· Please arrange for DHBVN personnel to complete the connection once I have procured the wire

· As various documents on DHBVN website suggest that during the new connection, the wire up to 30 meters is provided by DHBVN; please be advised that if this is found to be correct in the further the course of our communications, the DHBVN will reimburse the amount I will spend in procuring the wire. The bill of the same will be provided by myself at that instance

· Pls ensure that the connection is free of joints

The cable required to be made available by me for connecting the meter on the pole to the point of supply at my premises shall be made available to you on the same day of receiving the confirmation from you on the above.

This is issued without prejudice to any of my rights as may be available to me under any provisions."

There was no response to the consumer’s mail till 15th July 2020 which compelled the consumer to mail another reminder on 15th July 2020. The author of this blog also mailed a reminder to all senior officials including their vigilance department. Concerned SDO of the area informed the author when requested by an email dtd. 8th July 2020 to the SDO, Xen, and SE to confirm providing the cable from the meter on the pole to the premises is the responsibility of the consumer as per the regulations so as to advise the consumer appropriately. SDO in its email dtd. 8th July 2020 with a copy to XEN responded that "As per DHBVN Sales Manual Instruction No. Close-12, only 3 feet length cable for meter outgoing shall be provided. which are already provided by DHBVN".

The author again responded to their (DHBVN) email dtd. 8th July 2020, stating "Based on the rules quoted from your sales manual, I am advising consumer to arrange service cable from meter to the premises at his own const basis and provide the same under presumption of that the rules quoted by you are in conformity to HERC regulations and Electricity Act. I am just wondering if you can assist me in providing the relevant HERC regulations."

Meanwhile, the consumer on 15th July 2020 reminded the DHBVN about the non-receipt of the requisite details and confirmations as sought by him through email. The copy of the mail of the consumer received by the author was also forwarded to SDO, Xen, SE, CMD of DHBVN stating that the non-confirmation of the demand of the cable shall be presumed that the DHBVN demand of providing cable by the applicant is not as per HERC regulations.

Surprisingly SDO did not confirm that his demand for making available the cable by the applicant is as per HERC regulations. Instead, SDO again quoted "As per DHBVN sales manual instruction No. 4.2 (A) close 12, only 3 feet length cable for meter outgoing shall be provided by DHBVN. Attached para No.12". The last mail dtd. 16th July 2020 by the author was mailed to all senior officials stating "it has been requested several times, please confirm that the cable length as per your sales manual is in compliance with HERC regulations. ....... Please confirm that the cable length as stated by you is as per the regulations of HERC." 

DHBVN has not been able to give the confirmation about their sales manual especially w.r.t the cable requirement meeting the compliance of HERC regulations.  

 A copy of the draft article of this post in pdf document was mailed to all the senior officials of DHBVN including their Vigilance Department and HERC on 16th July 2020. All the senior officials were requested for the perusal of the draft article for their comments/clarification if any by 19th July 2020 so that the article with their comments/feedback could be published on 20th July 2020.  It was further stated that the comments/feedback compliance or otherwise if received from DHBVN, shall be updated as and when received. There has been neither any response to my emails, nor there is any confirmation to the claim of DHBVN personnel that the wire for the connection is to be arranged by the consumer is as per the regulations of HERC. Further another email sent to the senior officials of DHBVN on 17th July 2020 is quoted as

Quote of email dtd. 17/07/2020 sent to SDO, Xen, SE, CMD, Vigilance Department of DHBVN. 

“In continuation of my email dtd. 16th July 2020 on the proposed draft article as titled above for publishing in the public domains including social media and other print and electronic media scheduled for release on 20th July 2020, I am proposing the following paragraph in the proposed article appropriately.  

"Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission,  in its order dtd. 23/04/2019 in the Case No. HERC/PRO – 87 of 2017

 IN THE MATTER OF:

Application seeking clarification on HERC (duty to supply electricity on request, Power to recover expenditure incurred in providing supply and Power to require security) Regulations, 2016 (HERC/34/2016) and suitable directions for giving consequent relief to the petitioners has also referred the HERC regulations as quoted below:

iv) The Commission notified the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (Duty to supply electricity on request, Power to recover expenditure incurred in providing supply & Power to require security) Regulations, 2005 on 26/07/2005 and Regulations relating to the Recovery of Expenditure is as follows:

4. Recovery of Expenditure

4.1 The Licensee shall be responsible to lay down the distribution system up to thirty meters from the terminal pole and no charges shall be recoverable from the applicant on this account except as provided under these regulations. The Licensee shall provide the service cable upto 30 meters from terminal pole to the metering cubicle."

Unquote

Note: 1. The consumer desired to have the meter installed in the stilt parking of the premises and it was refused by DHBVN to be installed. The stilt parking is near the entry gate and is easily accessible all the time without being locked which in the opinion of the author meets the relevant part of the regulations. The refusal of installing the meter in the stilt parking is best known to the DHBVN. Any inference can be drawn. 

2. If the meter is always required to be installed on the pole, the length of the cable normally cannot exceed 5 to 7 meters irrespective of wherever the terminal pole is situated. The regulations provide provisioning of terminal pole within a distance of 30 meters. HERC regulating pole distance from the premises to the pole and the length of 30 meters cable being included in the service connection charges have no relevance in the context if the meter is only installed on the pole with just a 3 ft. cable on the output side of the meter. Even then it leads to duping the consumers as you are charging for what you are not providing to any of the consumers."

 unquote

 I would be eagerly awaiting your objections/comments/views if any by 19th July 2020 as stated in my email dtd. 16th July 2020. “

 Status as on 20th July 2020

1.    The consumers’ residential premise has still not been electrified/energized. The meter and the hanging cable are installed till the pole. Technically the electricity connection is still with only DHBVN without electrifying the premise of the applicant/consumer. 

2.    There is no response to the mails sent to DHBVN by the consumer and the author of the blogs as reminders.

3.  The regulations stipulate the connection to be provided to the consumers at his premises within 30 days. The period of 30 days shall be expiring on 18th July 2020. If the connection is not provided within 30 days, the DISCOM will have to pay penalty to the consumer at the specified rate per day of default that too without any demand from the consumer.

Analysis of HERC Regulations w.r.t the provisioning of the new connection to domestic consumers is brought out herein:

1.    While the distribution licensee or the Discom is required to upload regulations on their website, it is observed that the regulations especially that of benchmarks of performances and the penalties prescribed for not adhering to the service benchmarks are either distorted or have been omitted. No penalty that is payable by the Discom to the consumers are stated on their website.

2.    The DISCOM failed to provide its compliance report/ confirmation for the issue of dispute i.e the length of the service cable meeting requirement as per HERC regulations despite requesting by the consumer as well as the author of this blog several times.

3.    DHBVN charged an amount of Rs, 12,730 for a load of 6KW which included Rs. 6,000/- as "fixed service connection". The "service connection charges" has been defined in the HERC notification dated 11/07/2016. The “Service Connection charges” means an expenditure, the licensee is authorized to recover from the applicant, on account of Extension of Distribution System for giving a supply of electricity to the premises and calculated in accordance with these Regulations; It implies that the electricity is to be supplied to the consumer's premise and cost up to that has been charged by the DHBVN.

4.    The extension of the Distribution System means  the system of wires and associated facilities, required to be erected and/or extended for giving supply to the applicant, between the delivery points on the transmission lines or the generating station connection and the points of connection to the installation of the applicant;  Further, the above service connection charges shall be applicable where the length of the new line to be provided is up to 150 meters. Where this length exceeds 150 meters, the applicant shall be required to pay additional charges of Rs. 175 per meter for load up to 50 kW and Rs. 250 per meter for loads in excess of 50 kW

5.   “point of supply” means the point at the incoming terminals of switchgear installed by the consumer;

6.    The Citizen Charter states that if the service line is more than 30 Mtr. then the applicant has to deposit the unjustified cost of the estimate (The total length of the service cable in the instant case is well within 30 Mtrs. )

7.     Further HERC Regulations 12/2005 dtd. 26th July 2005 states:   

“ 4. Recovery of Expenditure 4.1 The Licensee shall be responsible to lay down the distribution system up to thirty meters from the terminal pole and no charges shall be recoverable from the applicant on this account except as provided under these regulations. The Licensee shall provide the service cable up to 30 meters from the terminal pole to the metering cubicle.

4.5 After receipt of an application for supply of electricity, the Licensee shall issue a demand note to the applicant informing him of the details of Service Connection Charges on account of the following: - 4.5.1 Cost of service cable for length in excess of 30 meters in case the distance between the terminal pole and the metering cubicle is more than 30 meters and the cost of terminal and metering arrangements (excluding the cost of the meter) at the premises of the consumer.

 8.    Further Electricity Act, 2003 states

“(19) "distribution system" means the system of wires and associated facilities between the delivery points on the transmission lines or the generating station connection and the point of connection to the installation of the consumers;”  (The point of connection to the installation of the consumers is the switchgear installed within his premises which in this case is stilt parking. )

9.    Further, Duty to supply electricity on request, Power to recover expenditure dtd. 26th July 2005

a.    2.9 “Distribution System” means the system of wires and associated facilities between the delivery points on the transmission lines or the generating station connection and the points of connection to the installation of the consumers;

b.    2.20 Service Connection charges” means an expenditure, the licensee is authorized to recover from the applicant, on account of Extension of Distribution System for giving a supply of electricity to the premises and calculated in accordance with these regulations;

c.    2.22 “Terminal Pole” means a pole carrying LT / HT line which is situated within 30 meters from the boundary of the applicant;

d.    4. Recovery of Expenditure 4.1 The Licensee shall be responsible to lay down the distribution system up to thirty meters from the terminal pole and no charges shall be recoverable from the applicant on this account except as provided under these regulations. The Licensee shall provide the service cable up to 30 meters from terminal pole to the metering cubicle. 4.2 The Licensee shall not claim any payment or reimbursement from the applicant for any expenditure incurred or to be incurred by the Licensee in terms of or under any scheme approved by the Commission or when such expenditure is otherwise allowed to be recovered through tariff by the Licensee as a part of the revenue requirements of the Licensee.

e.    4.5 After receipt of the application for supply of electricity, the Licensee shall issue a demand note to the applicant informing him of the details of Service Connection Charges on account of the following: - 4.5.1 Cost of service cable for length in excess of 30 meters in case the distance between the terminal pole and the metering cubicle is more than 30 meters and the cost of terminal and metering arrangements (excluding the cost of the meter) at the premises of the consumer.

 10. Further, HERC Electricity Supply Code dtd 8th January 2014

“4.15.3 Point of Supply (1) Supply shall be given at a single point in the premises of the applicant. The point of supply shall be determined by the licensee such that meter and other equipment are fixed either outside or at the entry point to the premises so that these are always accessible to the licensee for inspection without obstruction and infringing upon the consumer’s privacy. All HT consumers shall ensure independent access to the meter or metering cubical. (2) At the point of commencement of supply, the consumer shall provide a main switch/circuit breaker. In addition, HT consumers shall also provide suitable protective devices as per the provisions of Regulation 35 of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010. (3) HT consumers shall install step-down transformers with a vector group with delta winding on the high voltage side and star winding on the low voltage side, with the neutral terminal, brought out and properly earthed as per the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010. (4) The equipment including meter, meter board, service main, miniature circuit breaker (MCB)/circuit breaker (CB), load limiters must on no account be handled or removed by any person who is not an authorized employee/representative of the licensee. Seals which are fixed on the meters/ metering equipment, load limiters, and the licensee’s apparatus must on no account be tampered with, damaged, or broken. It is the consumer’s responsibility to keep in safe custody the licensee’s equipment and seals 28 | Page on the meters/metering equipment within the consumer’s premises or at the entry point. (5) In the event of any damage caused to the licensee’s equipment, other than a meter, within the consumer’s premises or at the entry point by reason of any act, neglect or default of the consumer or his employees, the cost thereof, as claimed by the licensee, shall be payable by the consumer. If the consumer fails to do so after demand, it shall be treated as a contravention of the terms and conditions of the supply agreement and the electricity supply is liable to be disconnected.

 4.2.4 In case of a new connection, the consumer shall bear service connection charges, i.e. the cost of extension of the service line from the distribution main to the point of supply.

(6) During the inspection of the premises, the licensee shall: (a) Fix the point of supply and the place where the meter and other equipment shall be installed, in consultation with the consumer. Provided that the service line shall be laid at an accessible location and the meter shall be fixed outside or at the entry point of the premises in such a manner that it is protected from elements like rain etc. and is easily accessible without getting the premises unlocked or opened for this purpose.

(Page No. 8)

iii) In case a consumer elects to pay the cost of the service line, the amount payable by him shall be the estimated cost of service line (excluding the cost of 30 meters) and equipment and of installing the same.

The following points on the service cable requirement as written in the Sales Manual of DHBVN 2013 itself contradicts the HERC Regulations. It reads as under:

 “19. Individual service cable without any joint from LD system to supply terminal of meter shall be provided for every consumer.

 12. Meters, clamps, Cables (Incoming and outgoing) shall be given by the concerned store to M&T lab. The meters along with clamps shall be fixed in blue meter boxes - MCB’s. A cable length of 20/30 feet for meter incomer (i.e. for joining meter with overhead conductor) and 3 feet length cable for meter outgoing (consumer end) shall be provided. The indication mark showing phase & Neutral on incoming and outgoing cable shall be clearly marked so that the connections may be done in an appropriate manner at the site. All this work will be carried out by existing M&T staff and if required through the outsourced agency”

Further, the Electricity Supply Code vide notification dtd. 08th January 2014 of Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission states:

"5.2.6 In case of multi-storeyed buildings, the meter(s) shall be installed on the ground floor/rising mains having proper air ventilation and adequate illumination. 

5.2.7 The licensee shall evolve a format of Meter Particulars Sheet for recording the particulars of the meter including initial reading at the time of initial installation or replacement. The licensee shall retain one copy and the second copy, duly signed by the authorized representative of the licensee, shall be given to the consumer under proper acknowledgment. The consumer or his authorized representative shall also sign the Meter Particulars sheet. Subsequently, details including any fault in the meter, repairs and replacements shall be entered into the Meter Particulars Sheet by the licensee."

(From the above, two question arises as to why meter was refused to be installed as requested by the consumer on the ground floor which is a stilt parking and an open space and why on installation report was got signed from the consumer?)

 As it is evident from the above that DHBVN is adapting to unethical business practices as the sales manual 2013 of the Discom DHBVN itself contradicts the HERC regulations and inferences can be drawn that DHBVN is siphoning the money on account of services cables and such amount may be running in crores of rupees. Consumers are being deceived by their alleged corrupt practices. The contradiction is not only in cable but also the standard of performance as per HERC regulatory framework has been included without information on penalties payable to the consumers by DHBVN for not adhering to the specified benchmarks.

 Recommendations 

  1. The whole issue in this blog centers around duping the consumers with their money, the matter may be investigated, responsibilities fixed. The issue of installation certificate on 7th July 2020 without even installing the meter may please be investigated. It gives a signal that anything can happen in DHBVN and fabricated documents could be issued
  2.  DHBVN to upload all their sales manual, orders as per regulations of HERC, complete in all respect.
  3. The consumer as referred in this article may be provided the connection immediately with rebate to cover the mental trauma undergone by the consumer and his family.
  4. Issue of an advertisement in all the leading newspapers that the provisioning of the service cable from pole to the premises is the responsibility of the DISCOM and no money is chargeable for 30 meter length of the service cable or as specified by Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission as the same being included in "fixed service connection charges".
  5. Any other action as may be deemed fit by HERC.
  6. Transfer the excess money so collected by DHBVN for 30 mtrs of cable from the consumers to Consumer Welfare Fund of Govt. of India or the State Government.   


Update 1:

Having received no response from the DHBVN till 19th July 2020 and while finalising the article on 20th July 2020, the author received a call from one SDO , NIT Faridabad (Mob No. 09540954703)  to understand the issue. It was stated by her that the normal practice of issuing the cable is done. At times, due to non-availability of the cable in the store, the consumer is advised through a written letter either to wait or arrange the cable and handover the bill to the DHBVN office for either reimbursement or adjustment in the electricity bills.  

 As none of the above holds true in the instant complaint despite bringing out similar proposed actions in the emails to what SDO, NIT, Faridabad stated, it implies that the SDO in-charge of Greenfield Colony is in the practice of corrupt practices and since the other senior officials like Xen, SE, and shockingly Vigilance Department last but not the least even senior management could not take any corrective action as they all  were well aware of the issues in various communication. It suggests large scale corruption and therefore, necessary action as appropriate is the need of the time.

Incidentally, SDO, NIT, Faridabad committed/ promised to get all pending work completed and the connection provided at the consumer’s premises. All necessary details as sought by her including application number was shared through her whattsapp.  This is yet to be done till the time of writing this update on 21st July 2020.  However, it is equally surprising that why she stopped responding to the messages.

(A soft copy of the article is being mailed as well as a hard copy of this shall be posted separately to all stakeholders including Haryana State Electricity Regulatory Commission for appropriate actions as may be deemed fit) 

(The author is a consumer activist and rendered his service for more than 15 years in the project of Department of Consumer Affairs as Project Manager. Presently he is one of the Trustees in NGO handling consumer's interest. He has also co-authored  a book titled “Electricity and Consumer”. The same is available in the public domain for reading - https://consumereducation.in/monograms/Electricity%20and%20Consumer.pdf)


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