BSES, Tata Power begin power supply today.

: Finally Delhiites can have a good night's sleep. From Monday, when the two private firms - the Bombay Suburban Electricity Supply (BSES) and the Tata Power - begin distributing power, complaint centres may become more responsive and billing hassles may reduce.

"Our priority is to address consumers' difficulties with promptness," a Tata Power spokesperson said. Consumers in north and northwest Delhi - which are under Tata Power's purview - can lodge their power-related complaints at 9622-022033.

Consumers of BSES, which would distribute power in south, east, west and central Delhi, can call at 9604-5555 and 9604-33333, to report power cuts. "To meet the large number of consumers' complaints, more persons will be deputed to attend to calls," says BSES manager K P Maheshwari.

From eight persons in each call centre, their number would be increased to 24 each. The local staff at the existing complaint centres will also be increased.

Existing DVB offices located at Karkardooma, Nehru Place and Rohini would be the head office for the central-east, southwest, and north-northwest distribution companies (Discom) respectively.

"Consumers can walk in to these spruced-up offices to locate their electricity records. These offices will also entertain the grievances of consumers," said N P Singh, additional general manager (DVB administration).

Private companies also promise a streamlined billing and metering system from July.