Parallel to the privatization of power distribution in Delhi, were steps to extract as much money as possible from the vast jhuggi jhopri colonies in the Capital in the name of making them “pay for electricity used”. These steps were taken to the accompaniment of widespread media, ‘concerned citizens’ and these power companies’ myth spreading that all of Delhi’s power woes are due to the ‘free’ consumption of electricity by these sections. In this way, on the one hand, a cover was thrown over the blatant robbing of power by industrial houses, government offices, VIPs and luxury area. On the other hand, the most flagrant violation of the right as citizens of jhuggi dwellers was covered up – forcing them to pay a fixed charge per month for electricity use till meters are installed. The reality of life in jhuggis has always been that they get light for a few hours daily and otherwise power in lines passing near jhuggi colonies remains cut for large parts of the day.

These attempts had begun in DVB days (i.e. when power was under Delhi Govt.) with charges of Rs. 350 for a meter and Rs. 50 per month fixed charge till installation. DVB hardly installed any meters before power distribution was privatised. Now the two private companies’ operating in Delhi arbitrarily raised and lowered costs depending on local reaction. MPs and MLAs were roped in to deflect people’s resistance. The Govt. of NCR finally moved in with a cost fixing of over Rs. 2000 for meter installations (this was after the elections in 2004).

In Hyderpur jhuggi basti in North Delhi one such attempt was taken up by the relevant company (TATA) in December 2003 by trying to force the people to pay Rs. 2400 towards meters and Rs. 175 per month fixed charges till installations. PMS is active in the area (Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan) and along with party activists it took a stand calling on the people to refuse to pay these charges, and to demand the rates fixed earlier by DVB. As elections were around the corner, local Congress leaders ran to the local MLA and the matter was gradually dropped.

The matter was revived again this winter and on December 6, electricity supply to the entire camp was just cut off. To date it remains totally cut (over 25 days). Children have given their terminal examinations studying by candlelight. This time the scheme proposed was Rs. 1550 for meter installation with a first deposit of Rs. 950 and Rs. 175 per month till the meters are actually installed. The discrepancy with the Govt. announced rate is glaring and shows how arbitrarily all this is being fixed.

Again PMS and party activists moved out among people, suggesting that these arbitrary rates should not be paid and payment should be at DVB fixed rates. This energized the people who saw the truth of the PMS propaganda that the rates were being actually arbitrarily fixed depending on what people could be forced to pay. PMS also exposed the myth of the basis of Rs. 175 per month payments.

On December 18, 2004, on the call of PMS, over 500 people demonstrated at the NDPL (Tata) local office at Shalimar Bagh demanding restoration of electricity cut. The struggle is continuing.