The Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association (FONRWA) has written to UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, demanding exemption of power charges for CCTV cameras installed in residential sectors for security of residents and of RWA offices across sectors as they come under public services.
The RWA umbrella body has also asked for alternate measures of charging domestic rates as against commercial rates for these services, in the event of non-acceptance of the demand of power charges waiver. “Electricity consumption for CCTV cameras installed in residential sectors in Noida and also of RWAs offices functioning in public interest should be exempt from power charges. We have demanded this exemption from the chief minister on grounds of the work RWAs do for the welfare of the residents,” FONRWA president N P Singh said.
According to Singh, CCTV cameras have been installed at the gates and other vulnerable points in residential sectors, with a view to curbing criminal activities such as burglaries and chain snatchings. “The work is done in public interest, but the electricity consumed in this regard is being charged at commercial rates. We’ve pleaded with the CM that such activities should be exempt from payment of any charge,” he said.
Similarly, the electricity consumed by the RWAs, in their offices and the community centers, is also being charged at commercial rates. “Therefore, we submit that these activities need to be completely exempt from payment of any charge as electricity used in these activities is also in public interest,” said A N Dhawan, Secretary-General of FONRWA. However, in the wake of power shortage across UP, the RWA federation has said if total exemption can’t be granted, they be charged at domestic rates as against commercial rates currently charged.
