True empowerment of the electricity consumer
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Without strong accountability provisions, the consumer protection rules will not guarantee better power supply quality
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Without strong accountability provisions, the consumer protection rules will not guarantee better power supply quality
Did electricity consumers truly get “empowered” this December? This was the claim of the Union Power Ministry as the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 was promulgated in December, almost two years since the declaration of universal electrification.
Issue of supply quality
Many States have not been able to provide quality supply, especially to rural and small electricity consumers. The enactment of consumer-centric rules does spark public debate that brings the rights of consumers to the fore. In this vein, the Rules lay an emphasis on national minimum standards for the performance parameters of electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs), without ur
The association has sought government’s intervention in the matter. (Representational)
Activists have raised the red flag against the new electric supply code formulated by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (MERC) new supply code.
Alleging that the draft new code has diluted several provisions in consumer interest, the state-level coordination committee of the Veej Grahak and Audyogik Sangathan, an umbrella organisation of state power consumer outfits in the state, has now approached the Maharashtra government, seeking urgent intervention in the case.
On December 9, the MERC had published the draft of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code and Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensees including Power Quality) Regulations, 2020, inviting public suggestions and objections till December 29.
New electricity rules: Discoms to pay for poor services, power cuts, ensure 24X7 supply
The new electricity rules also mandate discoms to provide new connections within seven days in metros, 15 days in small towns, and 30 days in rural areas
BusinessToday.In | December 22, 2020 | Updated 14:11 IST
Power Minister R K Singh issued the new rules on Monday to ensure the rights of electricity users, stating that the consumer is not powerless now
Consumers in India will now have rights to access to continuous and uninterrupted power supply as well as compensation from electricity distribution companies (discoms), as per the Centre s newly notified Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules.
Updated Dec 22, 2020 | 10:57 IST
Before the notification of the latest rules, consumer rights were covered under the Consumer Charter in the Electricity Act 2003. However, while some states have meaningfully implemented them, others have not. Representational image. | Photo Credit: PTI
Key Highlights
Under the new rules, securing a new electricity connection or modifying an existing one has been made much simpler and more transparent, and can be done so by filing an online application
Discoms are required to install a new connection within a maximum period of 7 days in metros, 15 days in other municipal areas, and 30 days in rural areas
In the event that discoms fail to provide electricity, they could be liable to pay compensation between Rs 6,000 (per day) to Rs 1 lakh
Power ministry brings new rules to protect consumers
The Ministry of Power, on Monday, laid down the rules on rights of consumers through “Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020”. The rules cover the rights of consumers and obligations of distribution licensees, the release of new connections and modifications in existing connections, metering arrangements, billing and payment, disconnection and reconnection, reliability of supply, consumer as prosumers. The other aspects that the new rules cover standards of performance of licensee, compensation mechanism, call centre for consumer services and grievance redressal mechanism. File photo
Updated: Dec 21, 2020, 11:38 PM IST
The Ministry of Power, on Monday, laid down the rules on rights of consumers through “Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020”. The rules cover the rights of consumers and obligations of distribution licensees, the release of new connections and modifications in