The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) – an electricity distribution company in the city – to provide electricity connection to nearly 200 migrant families who came to India from Pakistan and are living in slum like conditions in the national capital [Hariom v The State (NCT of Delhi) & Ors].
A Division of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad passed the direction after it was informed that the Ministry of Defence, which owns the land where the families are currently residing, has granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the same.
The Court noted the submission of the counsel appearing for the migrants that they are ready to install pre-paid meters so that Tata does not suffer any losses in case of default and directed the company to provide connections to all the families living in the area within 30 days of application.
The bench then disposed of the plea.
The Court was dealing with a public interest litigation petition filed by one Hariom stating that nearly 200 migrant families from Pakistan are living in North Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area for several years. They have been issued Aadhaar cards and are staying here on a long-term visa issued by the Government of India.
It was stated that there are small children and women in the area and in absence of electricity it has become very difficult for these families to survive the harsh conditions.
The plea further argued that the families had approached Tata Power for supply of electricity but they were told that they need NOC from the land-owning authority.
However, Tata Power informed the Court that the land in question belongs to the Centre/Defence Department/Delhi Metro and in absence of a NOC they cannot provide electricity connection.
Senior Advocate Sanjay Poddar along with advocates Akash Vajapai and Samiksha Mittal appeared for the petitioner.
ASC Sameer Vashisht along with advocate Sanjana Nangia appeared for Delhi government.
Advocate Manish Kumar Srivastava and Akhil Hasija appeared for TPDDL.
Union of India was represented through advocates Anurag Ahluwalia and Danish Faraz Khan.
Advocates Anand Prakash, Akhil Raj and Varsha Arya appeared for North Delhi Municipal Corporation.
Advocates Sarthak Chiller and Sanjeev Mahajan appeared for Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission.