New Delhi, Dec 5 (IANS): The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the city government on a plea seeking direction to it and a private power distribution company to pay compensation for wrong bills issued to consumers.

The division bench of Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also issued notice to the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd., and the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The court would next hear the matter Jan 3, 2013.

The public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by Sri Chand Jain, through advocate Sugriva Dubey, sought court directions to the government and other authorities to "stop the recovery of incorrect bills issued to consumers".

The petitioner said the city government should issue guidelines for determination of electricity tariff by bidding process.

"Issue directions to the respondents to issue guidelines under section 63 of the Electricity Act for determination of tariff by bidding process in the interest of justice," the PIL said.

It was alleged in the petition that power distribution company BSES Yamuna was issuing incorrect bills and people were compelled to deposit the inflated amounts failing which the electricity supply was disconnected.

The meters installed by the company were running fast and giving unreasonable readings, said the plea, adding that the company started issuing bills "without verifying the defective meters", the petition said.