PIL in Delhi High Court for framing guidelines on electrical safety

A PIL was on Tuesday filed in the Delhi High court seeking a direction to the Centre for framing of guidelines to ensure safety and for effectively dealing with the rights of persons who suffer electrical accidents.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which has made various authorities including the Union Power Ministry, Delhi government and three private discoms as parties, would be heard tomorrow by a bench headed by Chief Justice G Rohini.

The petition filed by Lauv Kumar highlights the "apathy and callousness" of various authorities including the discoms and refers to fatal electrical accidents that had taken place in Delhi in recent past.

"The government of NCT of Delhi privatized the electricity sector in Delhi to bring efficiency and betterment in the sector. The residents were promised that said privatization would lead to consumer-centric practices and upgradation of the outdated infrastructural facilities involved in electricity distribution and supply.

"But the discoms did not upgrade the outdated and dillapidated infrastructural facilities and have continued on the same which has led to hazardous and fatal consequences," the PIL said.

The plea has referred to fatal incidents of electrocution that took place due to poor safety mechanism.

"Issue a writ, order...directing the licensee respondents to pay Rs five crore as punitive or exemplary damages for constant failure or omission to comply with safety measures and standards...," it said.

It has also sought a direction for appointment of a panel which will investigate into the non-compliance of the safety measures by the power companies under the court supervision.