Announcing this in the Assembly today, Power Minister Narendra Nath said this is a continuation of the Delhi Vidyut Board's electrification programme launched in unauthorised colonies and villages which came into existence till March 31.

The deadline for the scheme in these places had expired on December 31, last year. But following representations from residents of these colonies, the government has decided to extend the deadline to December 31, 1999. At least 238 more unauthorised colonies are expected to come under the scheme.

Nath said the residents will have to have to pay energy charges with effect from the date of application and not June 1, 1997, as originally envisaged in the scheme.

The power minister added that the government has also decided to give one more opportunity to Delhiites to declare whether their meters had been tampered with and if they are using more power than what has been sanctioned. The deadline has been fixed for May 31.

``If they pay the prescribed penalty and declare their position correctly, no FIR will be filed against them. However, if any tampering or overuse is found during any subsequent inspection, they will be prosecuted,'' said Nath.

The DVB, he said, has decided that from now on, late-payment surcharge for all categories of consumers, except domestic and agricultural, will be 2 per cent of the bill for every 30 days instead of 3 per cent. For domestic and agricultural consumers it will be 1.5 per cent of the total bill.

Regarding outstanding dues, the DVB is offering a 50 per cent reduction on late-payment surcharge for all categories of private consumers and 100 per cent for government consumers. But this will be valid only till May 31. Also, government consumers will be allowed to pay the billed amount within 60 days instead of the present deadline of 30 days.