New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS): In a successful exercise designed to avoid judicial delays, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL), one of the three power distribution companies (discoms) in the national capital, settled over 2,700 power theft cases with a value of more than Rs 20 crore through special Lok Adalats, the discom announced on Monday.

"The two-day special Lok Adalats organised by BSES Yamuna Power Limited in association with Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) settled over 2,700 power theft cases with a value of over Rs 20 crore," the discom said in a release here.

The Lok Adalat, to settle power theft cases in central and east Delhi, was held on January 14 and 15 at two premises simultaneously -- District Court, Karkardooma and the permanent Lok Adalat Building, ITO, near Mata Sundari College.

The two-day paperless process "also managed to save over 40,000 A4 size sheets", it said.

BYPL and its sister discom in the capital, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL), which serves west and south Delhi, together settled nearly 5,000 such cases amounting over Rs 40 crore through Lok Adalats held here in December and January, the statement added.

BSES described these as being an "unprecedented hit" with stakeholders, offering the opportunity for an amicable and on-the-spot settlement of cases relating to direct theft and meter tampering.

"People from all walks of society such as shopkeepers, industrialists, businessmen, showroom owners, guest house owners, and even housewives, made a beeline for the special Lok Adalats," it said.

Announcing the Lok Adalats earlier, BYPL had said these would provide "customers in east and central Delhi a one-time opportunity for an amicable and on-the-spot settlement of cases relating to direct theft and meter tampering."

"Over 31,000 letters/notices had been sent to BYPL customers/litigants with regards to the Lok Adalat," it said.