HC's notice to discoms, Delhi govt on PIL on electrical safety

The Delhi High Court today issued notices to the city government and others, including three private discoms, on a PIL seeking framing of guidelines for ensuring safety and for effectively dealing with the rights of persons who suffer electrical accidents.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw asked Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited and Anil Ambani-owned discoms, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, to file a report within four weeks on existing electrical safety measures in the national capital.
The court, however, did not issue a notice to Union Power Ministry after Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain said "the Centre is not required as the law and penal provisions are already in place and their proper application is the responsibility of the state government and its agencies."

It also sought responses from authorities including Delhi government, city Police, New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission and Delhi Transco Limited on the PIL filed by Lauv Kumar, a law student.
The plea has highlighted the "apathy and callousness" of authorities including the discoms and referred to fatal electrical accidents that had taken place in Delhi.