PSERC relief for consumers and RWA of various colonies; directed PSPCL to provide electricity connection
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ July 28,2023
Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has provided relief to all those consumers and resident welfare associations of colonies , where the developers sold plots/flats without obtaining NOC from PSPCL or where the developers after obtaining NOC have abandoned the project without installing the LD system and PSPCL did not provided the electricity connections due to various reasons.
PSERC in its order of July 25,2023 has disposed of the various petitions and has directed PSPCL to take necessary action to provide electricity connection where it has not been provided.
The order covers three types of colonies such as abandoned colonies, contiguous licensed colonies, and unapproved regularized colonies contiguous with licensed colonies. The developers of the colonies were supposed to take an NOC from PSPCL for erecting the LD system in the colony. Many developers abandoned the electricity system layout in their colonies where they were supposed to lay electricity wires and transformers.
PSERC quoted the Supreme court’s order of 19th. May .2023 stating that the duty to supply electricity under Section 43 of the 2003 Act is not absolute, and is subject to such charges and compliance stipulated by the electric utilities as part of the application for supply of electricity.
PSPCL in its reply claimed that out of 71 colonies listed in the petition, connectivity has been released to over 40 colonies without completion of the LD system or without obtaining a BG from the developer.
PSERC in its order states that to give one last opportunity to the consumers and RWAs who are now willing to complete the project, a one time settlement scheme for completing electrical works may be offered.
PSERC relief for consumers and RWA of various colonies; directed PSPCL to provide electricity connection. PSPCL to immediately proceed as per law to take action to suspend or cancel the license of all such developers who are in violation of the conditions of license by not obtaining NOC from PSPCL or completing the LD system of the colony or paying connectivity charges.
After the license of the promoter is suspended or cancelled by the licensing authority , the responsibility for getting the development works of such colonies completed is that of the licensing authority.
The licensing authority can get the works completed by en-cashing the BG or disposing the mortgaged property and in case of excess expenditure, recover it from the developer and the allottees . The electrical works can also be completed by depositing the amount with PSPCL
