The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday emphasized that citizens, including children, women, and the elderly, cannot be left without electricity during the scorching heat prevailing in the region. The court directed the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and other relevant authorities to devise a permanent solution for the power crisis affecting over 500 families residing in an abandoned housing project in Zirakpur.
Court's Interim Order for Temporary Connections
Justice Sanjay Vashisth ordered temporary electricity connections as an interim measure while the authorities work out a long-term solution. The court noted that builders often lure buyers into investing their hard-earned money in attractive housing projects, only to abandon them later. The bench asserted that the state cannot evade its responsibility in such situations and that it is the bounden duty of authorities to establish mechanisms and regulations when granting licenses to builders, ensuring consumers are not left helpless if a developer abandons a project.
Welfare State Obligations
Justice Vashisth stated, "The citizens of this country are residing in a welfare state and they cannot be left in the lurch due to failure of the system or administration. In the scorching heat being experienced in this part of the country nowadays, a large number of human beings—including small children, aged persons, and females—cannot be left remediless and compelled to first fulfil all the rigmaroles of technicalities to get regular electricity supply. Moreover, such people have invested their hard-earned money with the hope to live in a shelter according to their stature."
The observations came in a petition filed by a residents' association seeking electricity connections for more than 500 families in the housing project. It was alleged that the directors of the builder or developer company abandoned the project and are absconding.
Concern Over Recurring Plight of Homebuyers
Expressing concern over the recurring plight of homebuyers in stalled housing projects, Justice Vashisth asserted, "The builders or developers first allure people by showing lucrative projects and make them ready to invest their hard-earned money in them. After collecting crores of rupees and pocketing them, the net result comes out that one fine day, the responsible persons of the developer or builder abscond, making the investors suffer without any fault on their part."
Path to Permanent Solution
To ensure a long-term solution, Justice Vashisth directed the Superintending Engineer or any other senior officer of PSPCL to convene a meeting with state authorities, including GMADA, and apprise the court of the decision taken. Representatives of the residents' association may also participate in the meeting.
As an interim relief, the court directed that temporary electricity connections be provided by PSPCL upon payment of usual charges along with Rs 20,000 by each resident. The bench clarified that consumers would also be liable to pay charges based on actual electricity consumption and that this arrangement is only a stop-gap measure, which would not automatically confer any right to permanent electricity connections. The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 19.
