Lt Gove agreed discoms should pay compensation for unscheduled power cuts: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that Lt Governor Anil Baijal agreed to his government's proposal that power companies should pay compensation to the consumers for unscheduled power cuts.

"LG agreed DISCOMS (power distribution companies) should pay compensation for unscheduled power cuts to make them accountable. Fairplay and equity to consumers to be ensured," Kejriwal tweeted.

Kejriwal on Wednesday met Baijal and discussed the issue related to unscheduled power cuts and compensation to the consumers.

After the meeting, Baijal tweeted: "Met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and discussed issue of power cuts and compensation to consumers. Suggested to devise a rational, fair and enforceable model."

Delhi witnessed a record demand of over 6,500 MW supply on Tuesday.

Kejriwal on Tuesday directed Chief Secretary M.M. Kutty to place the proposal of compensation to the consumers by power distribution companies before Baijal for approval.

Last year, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had issued an order to penalise power distribution companies for unscheduled power cuts. However, the order was later invalidated by the Delhi High Court citing that the government had not taken LG's prior approval.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had on Tuesday talked of reviving an aborted clause in the Delhi Electricity Act which required discoms to pay compensation to the consumers for power-cuts exceeding two hours.

--IANS

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