The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has upgraded the requirements for star rating of split room air-conditioners. The statutory body under the Union Power Ministry on Wednesday announced that it has upgraded the requirements for star rating.

In a statement here, the BEE said the legislation came into effect in January this year and raised the energy efficiency standards by about 8 per cent for split air-conditioners for the same rating band. The change is intended to help raise consumer awareness on saving energy and creating more energy efficient appliances across the spectrum for this industry, the Bureau claimed.

‘Production has fallen to about 30 per cent of the scheduled capacity'

The city's gas based power plants have scaled down production, compelled to do so in the absence of the required quantum of gas. A case in point being the power distribution company Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited's Rithala plant and the Government's 1500 MW Bawana plant that is yet to contribute to the city's power supply.

Dismiss discoms' claim; accuse regulator of inaction

The mood was belligerent at a public hearing organised by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission here on Thursday to assess consumer feedback before finalising the new power tariff. Reacting to the discoms' demands for a power tariff hike, angry consumers not only dismissed their claims but also expressed dismay over what they alleged was DERC's “inaction”.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has written to Union Water Resources Minister P. K. Bansal to fast track the Renuka Dam project. The Chief Minister has expressed concern that further stalling of the project will jeopardise the city's water security. The dam has been proposed on the Giri River in Himachal Pradesh and is expected to provide Delhi 275 million gallons of water a day.

Delhi has been pressing the Centre for its intervention to secure clearances for the Renuka Dam project, claiming it is the only source of water for the city's future use. “There are limited sources of water for the city; and Renuka Dam is the primary source that assures water for the future needs.

‘Everybody, irrespective of where they are living should be given water to drink and for non-potable uses as well'

In the densely populated Sangam Vihar, water and its limited supply is often the reason for skirmishes between neighbours and the cause for street fights. In the absence of a well regulated water supply from the city's water utility, the Delhi Jal Board,

“No response from official agencies despite reminders”

Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, a non-government organisation fighting for preservation of the Yamuna and its riverbed, has sought intervention of the National Green Tribunal for action against debris being dumped on the floodplains of the river. The NGO claims its repeated reminders to various agencies, including the Delhi Development Authority and the Irrigation Department of Uttar Pradesh, have met with no response.

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission wants the power distribution companies to take steps to reduce and shift the peak load and make demand side management (DSM) an important factor in their services. The Commission has finalised a draft on implementation of DSM and has invited comments from stakeholders.

Steps taken to encourage energy efficiency and reduction of losses are all part of the DSM concept, said a senior official of a discom.

Provisional 5 per cent fuel price adjustment surcharge

Consumers in the Capital will have to shell out more for power from this month with the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission on Thursday allowing a provisional 5 per cent fuel price adjustment surcharge for the power distribution companies BRPL, BYPL, TPDDL and NDMC. This means the companies will be able to recover the extra money spent on purchase of power on a quarterly basis.

Raw industrial waste killing Yamuna, corroding sewer lines

Consumers will no longer have to wait endlessly or run from one office desk to another to resolve pending issues including billing disputes.