Team News Riveting
New Delhi, December 21
The Union Ministry of Power has promulgated rules for the first time laying down the rights of power consumers in the country that prominently include round-the-clock electricity supply.
It also ensured a compensation to be paid, in case of performance standards not met by electricity distribution companies (discoms).
“These rules shall empower the consumers of electricity and emanate from the conviction that the power systems exist to serve the consumers and the consumers have rights to get the reliable services and quality electricity,” power and new and renewable energy minister Raj Kumar Singh said.
He added that Distribution Companies across the country had monopolies, whether government or private, and the consumer has no alternative. Therefore, it was necessary that the consumers’ rights be laid down in Rules and a system for enforcement of these rights be put in place, the minister said, adding that this is what the rules provide for.
The rules are also an important step towards furthering the ease of doing business across the country. Implementation of these Rules shall ensure that new electricity connections, refunds and other services are given in a time bound manner.
“Wilful disregard to consumer rights will result in levying penalties on service providers,” Singh said.
The Rules will benefit about 30 crore existing and the prospective consumers in the country. The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 also calls for a timely and simplified procedure for connection, expediting the modification of existing connection, and a robust grievance redressal mechanism.
“The distribution licensee shall supply 24×7 power to all consumers. However, the Commission may specify lower hours of supply for some categories of consumers like agriculture,” a statement issued said.
The rights also power consumers to have minimum standards of service for supply of electricity from the distribution licensee. Maximum time period of 7 days in metro cities and 15 days in other municipal areas and 30 days in rural areas identified to provide new connections and modify an existing connection.
