Power consumers in Lucknow may now be able to claim damages if their electronic gadgets get damaged due to voltage fluctuation.
Power consumers in Lucknow may now be able to claim damages if their electronic gadgets get damaged due to voltage fluctuation.
The Akhilesh government is mulling a proposal to insure consumer items against such hazards.
According to a senior official of the Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration, it is proposed that every authorised consumer can insure his or her electronic gadgets for a premium that comes to as low as Rs 20 per month. A consumer will be able to buy an insurance cover worth Rs 25,000 by paying Rs 20 per month. LESA will work as a facilitator between the insurance company and the consumer.
To get the insurance cover, the owner of the house should have a connection issued under his name and should have paid his last bill. The LESA proposal will provide insurance against fire hazards caused due to short circuit or voltage fluctuations or any other fault in the power supply system.
Besides, there is another long list of conditions that a consumer has to meet before he seeks compensation. He needs to ensure that electrical fittings in the house are tested and certified by safety directorate, his house has a proper earthing (electrical circuit connected to the earth) system. The consumer will also be required to fill up a “personal bond,” declaring the load connection of the meter and that electrical wiring in the house is “safe,” a miniature circuit breaker, that automatically switches off electrical circuit during overloading and abnormal conditions, is installed in the house, switches are proper with phase-wire and all bills are paid.
According to LESA chief engineer S.K. Verma, the proposal is now being sent to the UP Electricity Regulatory Commission for approval since it involves levying a premium on the bills.
Interestingly, there is already a provision under the UP Electricity Act that allows consumers to seek compensation for their electrical appliances damaged due to voltage fluctuation.
It says that electricity supply authority should maintain the voltage (high, low and extra high) within specified limits at the time of commencement of supply to the consumer. In case it fails, it is liable to pay compensation to the consumer based on assessment of damage done to the home appliances. However, the provision has rarely been used since majority of the consumers are unaware of it.
