Both Congress and BJP MLAs had demanded the set up of such committees during the winter session of the Delhi Assembly in December for “overcoming difficulties” faced by consumers in the billing system as well as other related problems.

Walia has set in motion the formation of these committees, which will include two discom representatives with their concerned business managers handling the billing system and infrastructure development. The other seven members will be nominated from local RWAs, trade bodies and other social organisations. This was decided in a high-level weekly meeting on power presided over by Walia. Secretary (Power), director (Commercial), Delhi Transco and senior officers of the discoms were also present at the meeting.

Walia expressed his confidence that these committees will be able to review the billing system, apart from looking into serious complaints. The committees will also be asked to expedite infrastructure development. They will meet every month to “streamline the functioning of discoms for the maximum satisfaction of consumers”.

The minister once again asked the discoms to reduce power cuts and also instructed them to send SMSes on any scheduled power cuts to all elected representatives in Delhi.