The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has announced major changes to the Supply Code Regulations, 2017 to simplify the process of getting new electricity connections. These changes are designed to speed up the issuance of connections by removing traditional hurdles like physical site visits and upfront payments. Residents of Delhi will now experience a more streamlined process when applying for power meters from discoms like TPDDL, BRPL, BYPL, and NDMC.
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What are the new rules for site inspections and applications?
The requirement for a mandatory site inspection by electricity department staff before granting a connection has been officially removed. In the past, this process often led to long waiting periods for consumers. Now, the connection will be issued based on the information provided by the applicant. Consumers are required to submit a self-declaration confirming that their internal wiring is safe and has been checked by a licensed electrical contractor. This move shifts the responsibility to the consumer and ensures faster service delivery.
Details on fees and grievance redressal
- No upfront payment is required at the time of application.
- Connection and meter installation charges will be added to monthly electricity bills.
- Discoms cannot charge any hidden or extra fees outside the DERC schedule.
- Internal wiring must be tested by a licensed electrical contractor before self-declaration.
If a discom fails to follow these rules or demands extra money, consumers can approach the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) or the Electricity Ombudsman for help. DERC has clarified that these steps are taken to ensure that common people do not face unnecessary delays in getting basic utilities.
