Gurgaon: New scheme to waive power dues of Antyodaya families

In case the final billing is issued to the consumer due to a faulty meter, the basic amount will be calculated on a rural and urban basis: 40 units per month in rural areas and 50 per month in urban localities. Even if the sanctioned load is less, the minimum will be taken as one kilowatt. The load will be rounded off to the next higher figure and the meter will be changed. For such customers, only the principal amount up to the last 12 months will be payable and the rest of the dues will be waived. However, the maximum amount payable by an eligible applicant opting for the scheme will be limited to Rs 3,600.

For the beneficiary who agrees to avail of the benefits, the default amount shall be withheld on the date of the scheme’s notification. On the commencement of the scheme, the default charges of those opting in will be calculated from the date of default subject to July 1, 2023.

The principal amount calculated for settlement shall be payable in lumpsum or in six interest-free instalments (over a maximum period of 12 months) as per the option given by the consumer.

In case of disconnected consumers, reconnection will be done on payment of a lump sum amount or on payment of the first instalment of the principal amount, provided the connection is not more than six months old. If the disconnected connection is more than six months old, the applicant will be treated as a new consumer and reconnection will be done upon submission of identity proof but will not be charged for a new connection. Consumers whose cases are currently pending in any judicial or quasi-judicial forum due to billing disputes will be covered under this scheme, if the case is withdrawn. Eligible Antyodaya households will be given an opportunity to settle their disputes with discoms on account of any billing dispute including half margin by paying 25% of dispute amount or Rs 3,600, depending on whichever is less. The balance amount of the dispute will be waived.

The scheme will provide relief to eligible households who have defaulted for two or more billing cycles, the DHBVN said.

According to the scheme, existing consumers, as of June 8, 2023, will get the benefit.

Khatri said that the consumers whose electricity connections have been disconnected can get them back by depositing the outstanding amount without any extra charge.