Reliance Infrastructure (formerly Reliance Energy) was asked to comply with the order passed by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Merc) asking the power utility to refund service line charges that they had collected over and above the actual cost. The total refund amount works out to Rs13 crore for RInfra.

During the period between October 1, 2004, and November 1, 2006 the private sector power utility had collected excess service line charges from more than 85,000 Mumbai residents who had applied for electricity connections.

In effect, each consumer stands to be reimbursed — either by cash or adjustment in the electricity bill — in the range of Rs1,400 to Rs1,570.


On a petition filed by Pratap Hogade, president of Maharashtra Rajya Veej Grahak Sanghatna, MERC on November 5,2008 passed an order directing RInfra to refund the amount “depending on who ask for it”.

“RInfra is yet to refund the amount. However, consumers must approach them individually,” said Hogade. Reliance Infrastructure spokesperson said that they will comply with the requirements of the law and will deal with consumers individually.