Who has to apply?

Chandigarh, 31: As confusion marks the VDS scheme, Electricity Department officials clarified that although it is not necessary for everyone to apply under the scheme, those who feel their load is more than their authorised power loads need to apply to save the harassment of penalties later. As per the scheme, a consumer has to specify all the points in his house to determine the total load and compare the same with the authorised load which is mentioned in any of the electricity bills of the consumer.

On additions made after the VDS scheme, the consumer will have to pay the penalty for the excessive loads. While unauthorised load of air conditioners, each of 2.5 KW rating, in the house can be regularised under the VDS scheme by making a nominal payment of Rs 180 as security and around Rs 200 as service connection charges, the load surcharge of Rs 4,500 for this unauthorised load shall be levied in case of three-phase connection when detected after the scheme.

Meanwhile, Electricity Department officials claimed that since the scheme had been properly notified it holds powers under the law for imposing penalties. The department also claims to have done munadi for the scheme.