The Delhi High Court on Thursday gave the Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) 30 days time to provide electricity connection to Pakistani Hindu migrants residing in Adarsh Nagar area of the national capital.
The order was passed by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad, while dismissing a PIL seeking directions to include Aadhaar card and long term visa as a sufficient proof in respect of occupancy of the premises, so as to enable them to apply for electricity connections.
Earlier, the power company had demanded proof of ownership of land to supply electricity to them. The migrants were allegedly living on land belonging to the Defence ministry.
The Counsel representing the Centre apprised the court today that a letter giving no objection was issued on November 7.
Noting that since the competent authority has given approval for grant of electricity connections, the Apex Court observed that Tata Power did not have any other choice except to grant electricity connections to all the residents of the area in question.
The Counsel appearing for the petitioners apprised the court that all the beneficiaries were ready to install a prepaid meter, so that the power company did not suffer any loss in case there were any defaulters or default payment of electricity dues.
Earlier in September, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre why no objection certificate was issued to migrants and directed it to look sympathetically into the issue.