The Hindu 04.04.2013
NDMC, power firm directed to settle payment dispute
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the North
Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and the Tata Power Delhi Distribution
Limited to settle their dispute over payment of power bills for
streetlights within three months.
A Division Bench of
Justice Darmar Murugesan and Justice V.K. Jain passed the order on a
public interest litigation by advocate Arpit Bhargava challenging the
decision of the power distribution company to stop power supply to
45,000 streetlights in six localities under the NDMC jurisdiction due to
non-payment of power dues. The petitioner had approached the Court for a
direction to the power distribution company for restoration of supply
to the streetlights, arguing that the plunging of six localities into
darkness was violation of the affected people’s fundamental right to
safety. However, the distribution company had restored the power
connection following part payment of dues by the civic body before the
matter was taken up for consideration.
The Bench
later disposed of the petition with the direction to the civic body and
the distribution company to resolve the disputes within three months.
By
stopping power supply on such a large scale, the distribution company
had not only put public safety in danger but its action was also in
violation of the fundamental right.
