AAP government mulls extending power scheme to settle dues: Satyendar Jain

NEW DELHI: Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain today said the AAP government is contemplating to extend the electricity amnesty programme 'Bijli Bill Vivad Samadhan Scheme' for another one month period, giving much relief to the eligible consumers who still haven't settled their bills.

During the Question Hour in the Assembly, several AAP MLAs also accused distribution companies (discoms) of "harassing" consumers on account of dysfunctional power meters.

Jain said the last date of 'Bijli Bill Vivad Samadhan Scheme' or electricity bill disputes redressal scheme is March 31.

"We are trying to extend the scheme for yet another month so that people who have still not settled their power bills can do the same," Jain told the MLAs here.

Former Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar, an MLA from Trinagar, flagged concern for a mechanism to prevent discoms from "cheating" power consumers.

"People are being harassed by the discoms once their electricity meters stop working. There is a need for proper mechanism so that companies don't harass consumers," he said.

Another AAP MLA Asim Khan said a person from his constituency recently came to his office and threatened suicide as he was shocked after receiving his power bill of Rs 2.5 lakh.

"How can it be possible for a person whose salary is Rs 6,000 to clear his dues. Discoms are harassing people and government should do something for them," Khan said.