- Resolve Electricity Theft and Irregularities Cases through Settlement: Energy Minister
Bhopal: The National Lok Adalat will be held on March 8, offering a unique opportunity to resolve electricity theft and irregularity cases through mutual settlement. Energy Minister Pradyumna Singh Tomar has urged electricity consumers and users to settle pending cases under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, to avoid unpleasant legal actions. The Madhya Pradesh Central Electricity Distribution Company has decided to offer concessions to various categories of consumers, including domestic, agricultural, non-domestic consumers with up to 5 kW capacity, and industrial consumers with up to 10 horsepower, in cases pending under Section 135.
Pre-Litigation Level:
For cases at the pre-litigation stage, a 30% concession will be granted on the assessed civil liability amount. If payment is delayed beyond 30 days from the issuance of the determination order, a 100% waiver will be provided on interest calculated at a 16% annual compounded rate.
Litigation Level
At the litigation level, a 20% concession will be given on the assessed civil liability amount. For delayed payments, a 100% waiver will be offered on interest calculated at the same 16% rate after 30 days from the issuance of the determination order.
Conditions for Waiver
After applying the concession, the applicant will need to pay the remaining civil liability amount and any interest in full. Consumers must also clear any outstanding dues against other connections in their name. If no valid connection is in the applicant’s name, they must obtain one and settle any pending dues for previous disconnections.
This waiver applies only to consumers involved in cases of electricity theft or unauthorized use for the first time. Those who have previously benefited from waivers in earlier Lok Adalats will not be eligible. Additionally, no waivers will be granted on regular electricity bills, and the waiver is applicable only for cases involving civil liabilities of up to Rs 10 lakh. This offer is valid exclusively for settlements during the National Lok Adalat on March 8, 2025.
