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New Delhi 18 January 2012

Press Release

Over 2000 Cases and Rs 7.61 crore settled in the ‘power’ Lok Adalat


The Special Lok Adalat organized by Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in association with BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) over the weekend, besides being an unprecedented hit, was also a great leveler. People from all walks of the society such as Shopkeepers, Industrialists, Businessmen, Showroom owners, Guest house owners, and even Housewives, made a beeline for the special Lok Adalat. From Mercedes to cycles – customers arrived at the venue in every conceivable means of transport.

Ensuring wider representation across consumer categories, the Lok Adalat took up cases of upto Rs 25 lakh that were either pending or were yet-to-be-filed in any Court of Law. The two-day Lok Adalat provided BRPL customers/ litigants residing in South and West Delhi, a one-time opportunity, for an amicable and on-the-spot settlement of their power theft cases, relating to both Direct Theft (DT) and Meter Tampering (DAE).

“The Lok Adalat was a success because of encouragement and support of Hon'ble Mr. Justice A.K. Sikri, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi and Executive Chairman of DSLSA, Ms. Asha Menon (Member Secretary, DSLSA) and Ms. Vrinda Kumari, Secretary, DLSA (Saket Court). Surpassing all expectations, the Lok Adalat, organised at the premises of District Court, Saket, saw over 90 percent (or 2018) cases, with settled amount of Rs. 7.61 crores .The two-day ‘green’ Lok Adalat also managed to save over 30,000 A4 size sheets”, said Mr Gopal Saxena, CEO BRPL.

“Customers, whose cases were settled, have been given upto 15 -45 days to pay up. Infact, BRPL has adopted a very humane approach in this regard. Looking at the financial position of the customers / litigant, BRPL has even allowed some to pay in 3-4 installments”, added Mr Saxena.

“This unique Lok Adalat provided BSES customers a cost effective and a one-stop-setup for settlement of their power theft cases. Initially, a total of 12 ‘special’ Courts were set up. Moreover, BSES had made special arrangements to speed up the entire exercise and cut response time to settle each case in this “paperless” Lok Adalat.

The exercise was a win-win for everybody. For the customers, it meant an opportunity to amicably settle their cases and an escape from a prolonged and an expensive legal process. For an over worked judiciary, it meant some burden off their Courts. For BSES, it meant, more people coming into the billing net.

BRPL and BYPL, Delhi’s premier power distribution companies are committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all their consumers.