New Delhi, 13 May 2008

Press Release

Lawyers in unlawful activity

Karkardooma advocates prevent BSES officials from replacing meters

• Karkardooma lawyers obstruct installation of electronic meters by BSES
• BSES officials physically prevented by some members of Karkardooma Bar Association
• Lawyers forcibly take BSES officials and electronic meters to the nearby Police Post – from where both officials and meters released
• Lawyers allege that they had not received any BSES notice that electronic meters were not ISI marked – both allegations found out to be untrue
• BSES had actually sent individual notices and copies of the guidelines to all lawyers through registered post

Ironical as it may sound, but those tasked with defending the law, are themselves hell bent on flouting it. On May 11, 2008, a BSES team assigned to change the old electro-mechanical meters in the lawyers Chambers at the Karkardooma Court premises had to face stiff resistance and that to from unexpected quarters – members of the Karkardooma Bar Association. Not only were the members of the BSES team, not allowed to change meters, they, along with 25 new meters, were taken to the nearby Police post. Later though, BSES official were allowed to go and their meters returned.

When BSES officials reached the venue, some members of the Karkardooma Bar Association vehemently opposed them, and did not let them replace the old meters – even though mandated by law, stating that they had not received any notice from BSES for the same. The truth, of courses, is quite contrary. Not only had BSES sent them individual notices through registered post, but also has their Proof of Delivery (PoDs) as evidence. That’s not all. Along with the individual notices, BSES, also couriered them, individual copies of the relevant guidelines, under whose aegis, discoms including BSES have been mandated to change all meters to electronic.

Some lawyers, unable to defend their own arguments in the face of the legal provisions, frivolously alleged that the old electro mechanical meters were ISI marked and their newer electronic versions were not. This arguments of their, like all others, did not also pass muster, as all electronic meters being installed by BSES are ISI marked and are in compliance with the guidelines of the Indian Electricity Act 2003 and Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

“BSES would once again like to reiterate that that it been replacing the old electro mechanical meters with the new state-of-the-art electronic meters, in accordance to the mandatory provisions of the law. So far, with cooperation of its customers, BSES discoms have replaced over 78% of the old meters, with the new electronic meters. The remaining will be changed over the next few months”, said a BSES official.

BSES, Delhi’s premier power distribution company, is committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all its consumers.

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For further information please contact:

Prashant Dua	Chandra P Kamat
Corporate Communications	Corporate Communications
39999870 / 9312007822	39999088/9350130304