To

1)Sh. Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister, Haryana;

2)Sh. S. K. Gulati, Special Chief Secretary, Haryana;

3)Sh. P. K. Das, I.A.S., Additional Chief Secretary (Power), Govt. of Haryana;

4)Dr. Balkar Singh, IAS, Managing Director, DHBVN.

Sirs,

Without any consideration for the pains and perils of the common man during these unprecedent pandemic times, the DHBVN had in the last week of March 2021 levied every electricity consumer with an extortionary advance consumption deposit #ACD equivalent to two average billing cycles of the preceding financial year. 

The DHBVN while levying these hefty charges had no consideration whatsoever for the ruthless effect that this pandemic has had on everyone in the whole of india talkless of Haryana or any of its districts. It is shocking that when Governments and their tertiary arms across the globe are vying to make life easier for its citizens, the DHBVN and the Government of Haryana without any application of mind or heart levied upon its citizens this unprecedented #ACD #lagaan.  

Neither are we living in the British Times where imposition of exploitary "lagaan" was a common practice nor are we living in a Military State. India is a democratic welfare state and hence levy of such back-breaking charges in the name of security is not only arbitrary but also extortionary in nature.

Sir, Section 47 of the Electricity Act, 2003 does not permit any extortion. More so even the thought of overburdening the common man during these pandemic times can be classified as an act of heightened cruelty. 

The Petitioner therefore requests the permanent and immediate withdrawal of this unreasonable security deposit  in the interest of the General Public and further requests that if some consumers have already paid it, the said sum be promptly and diligently adjusted in their forthcoming Electricity Bills.

With sincere regards