Union of India - Act
Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum and Ombudsman) Regulations, 2019
UNION OF INDIA
India
India
Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum and Ombudsman) Regulations, 2019
Rule JOINT-ELECTRICITY-REGULATORY-COMMISSION-CONSUMER-GRIEVANCES-REDRESSAL-FORUM-AND-OMBUDSMAN-REGULATIONS-2019 of 2019
- Published on 11 September 2019
- Commenced on 11 September 2019
- [This is the version of this document from 11 September 2019.]
- [Note: The original publication document is not available and this content could not be verified.]
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Objectives, Scope and application.
3. Definitions.
4. Interpretation.
- These Regulations shall be construed harmoniously with the Electricity Supply Code notified by the Commission under the provisions of clause (x), and the Distribution Performance Standards of the licensee under clause (za,), of sub-section (2) of section 181 of the Act and in case of any inconsistency with these Regulations, Distribution Performance Standards of the licensee and the Electricity Supply Code shall prevail.CHAPTER-II Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum (CGRF)5. Establishment of Forum.
6. Headquarters of Forum.
- The head office of the Forum shall be preferably at the place of headquarters of the distribution licensee The Forum may, with the overall objective of ensuring that the complaints/grievances are heard and redressed within the time limit specified under these Regulations, conduct its sittings apart from its HQs, at such other places, within its area of jurisdiction, as may be considered necessary and proper by it.7. Constitution of Forum and Appointments of its Members.
8. Removal of Member.
9. Presiding Officer of the Forum.
10. Tenure of Members.
11. Voting and consensus.
- Two Members shall form the quorum for the Forum's meeting and proceedings before the Forum and each Member shall have one vote. In case of equality of votes on any issue, the Chairperson or in his absence the person presiding shall have the second or casting vote.12. Vacancies.
13. Remuneration.
14. Secretariat.
15. Particulars of the Forum to be widely published.
- The name, location, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers of the Forum, shall be widely published by the licensee through newspapers from time to time, at least once in each quarter, and displayed on the website and all the offices of the licensee and the Commission, and shall also be intimated to the consumers through electricity bills by printing necessary details on the back side of the bills. These particulars shall also be publicized through electronic media.CHAPTER-III Right To Approach The Forum16. Right to approach the Forum.
17. Submission of grievances.
18. Prioritization of complaints.
- As far as is possible and practical, the grievances shall be prioritized for redressal based on the following priority order :-19. Limitations/ pre-conditions for submission of grievance.
- The Forum may reject the grievance at any stage under any or more of the following circumstances :-20. Process.
21. Inspection.
22. Promotion of settlement by conciliation.
- The Forum may in appropriate cases call the designated officer or the concerned officer of the licensee, as the case may be, for negotiations in order to seek redressal of the grievance filed before it and if the matter is settled through negotiations, it may be recorded as a decision and conveyed to the Complainant and the licensee by the order of the Forum. Subsequent to such settlement of case, the consumer shall have no right to file a representation to the Ombudsman in that matter.23. Hearing of representations.
24. Appearance through an Advocate.
- A complainant, distribution licensee or any other person who is a party to any proceedings before the Forum may either appear in person or authorise any person, other than an Advocate (within the meaning of the Advocates Act, 1961), to present his case before the Forum and to do all or any of the acts for the purpose.25. Interim Order.
- Upon request of the complainant, the Forum may issue such interim orders pending final disposal of the grievance as it may consider necessary:Provided that the Forum shall have the power to pass such an interim order in any proceeding, hearing or matter before it, as it may consider appropriate if the complainant satisfies the Forum that prima facie, the distribution licensee has threatened or is likely to remove or disconnect the electricity connection, and has or is likely to contravene any of the provisions of the Act or any rules and regulations made thereunder or any order of the Commission, provided that the Forum has jurisdiction on such matters:Provided further that, except where it appears that the object of passing the interim order would be defeated by delay, no such interim order shall be passed unless the opposite party has been given an opportunity of being heard.26. Issuance of Order.
27. Compliance of the order of Forum.
28. Representation against the Forum's order.
29. Reporting requirements.
30. Qualifications, terms of appointment and removal of Ombudsman.
31. Office of the Ombudsman.
32. Format for submission of representation.
- The complainant shall submit his representation to the Ombudsman as per the format specified in ANNEXURE -IV.33. Pre-conditions/ limitations for entertaining complainant's representation.
34. Promotion of settlement by conciliation.
35. Hearing of representations.
36. Ombudsman Power to issue Interim Order.
37. Issuance of Order.
38. Reporting requirements.
39. Commission's Power of Superintendence & Control.
- The Commission shall have the general powers of superintendence and control over the Forum and Ombudsman and for this purpose may call for any record from the Forum/Distribution Licensee/Ombudsman and issue appropriate orders/directions thereupon. The Forum/Distribution Licensee/Ombudsman shall duly comply with such directions as the Commission may issue from time to time.40. Power to remove difficulties.
- If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provisions of these Regulations, the Commission may, by a general or special order, direct the distribution licensee, the Forum or the Ombudsman to take suitable action, not being inconsistent with the Act, which appears to the Commission to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulties.41. Power to issue practice directions.
- Subject to the provisions of the Act, The Commission may from time to time issue orders and practice directions in furtherance of these Regulations.42. Power to amend.
- The Commission may, at any time vary, alter, modify or amend any provisions of these Regulations.43. Repeal and Savings.
| Sr. No. | Description of action to be taken | Time lines Specified | Time from which period begins to seen |
| PART-I | Complaints/representations before the Forum | ||
| 1 | Forwarding complaints to the Forum when sentthrough Complaint Receiving Centers of the distribution licensee | By the next working day | |
| 2 | Acknowledge ofreceipt of complaint-(a) When presented inperson(b) When received bypost, email or fax.(c) When received through the ComplaintReceiving Centres | On same dayBy the next dayBy the next day | On the receipt of the complaint by the Forum |
| 3 | Forwarding ofcomplaints to the concerned officer of the licensee-(a) In case ofconnection/ disconnection of supply.(b) In other case | 1 day2 days | On the receipt of the complaint by the Forum |
| 4 | Response of theLicensee on the complaint -(a) In case ofconnection/ disconnection of supply.(b) In other case | 5 days15 days | From the date of receipt of compliant. |
| 5 | Making available the record or to furnish anyinformation to the Forum- | ||
| 7 | days From the date of requisition of the recordor information | ||
| 6 | Making of Orders bythe Forum-(a) In cases ofconnection or disconnection of supply.(b) In other case | 15 days45 days | From the date of receipt of the complaint. |
| 7 | Compliance of the Orders of the Forum | 15 days or the shorter period, directed by Forumwithin which Order is to complied with | From the receipt of the Order by the licensee. |
| 8 | Reporting of compliance by the Licensee to theForum | 7 days | From the date of compliance. |
| Part-II1 | Representationbefore the OmbudsmanMaking representationto the Ombudsman(a) Against theForum's Order(b) For the non-redressal of grievance(c) For the non compliance of the Forum's Orderby the licensee | 30 days30 daysTwo months | From the date ofOrder by the Forum.After the expiry of30 days time allowed under item (a)From the date of Order of the Forum. |
| 2 | Settlement byConciliation(a) Service of noticeto the concerned officer of the Licensee for settlement throughmediation of the Ombudsman.(b) Acceptance of therecommendations of the Ombudsman.(c) Making a record of the conciliatedagreement. | 7 days15 days7 days | From the date ofreceipt of representation.From the date ofreceipt of recommendations of the Ombudsman.After the acceptance of the recommendation bythe parties. |
| 3 | Registration ofRepresentationa) Registration ofrepresentation where the grievance is not settled by mediation orconciliation by the Ombudsman.b) Calling of recordfrom the Forumc) Sending of record by the Forum | 30 days7 days7 days | From the date ofreceipt of the representation by the Ombudsman.From the date ofregistration of the representation by the Ombudsman.From the date of receipt of the notice from theOmbudsman. |
| 4 | Order of the Ombudsman | 90 days | From the date of receipt of representation. |
| 5 | Compliance of the Ombudsman's Order | 15 days | From the issue of the Order |
| PART-III12. | Submission ofReportsSubmission of Reportsby the Forum(i) Quarterly(ii) YearlySubmission of Reportsby the Ombudsman -(i) Quarterly(ii) Yearly | 15 days45 days15 days45 days | After the close ofthe quarter.After the close ofthe year.After close of theperiodAfter the close of the financial year. |
| Application To Forum For Redressal ofGrievance |
| Date*: __________ |
| 1. Name of the Complainant: ____________________ |
| 2. Full address of the Complainant *:________________ |
| Pin Code*: _____________ |
| Phone no.*: _____________ |
| Fax no.: ___________ |
| Email id: ___________ |
| 3. Nature of Connection and Consumer no.*(incase of having applied for a connection, state the applicationnumber):______________________________________________________________ |
| 4. Division/Sub Division/Section Name*:______________ |
| 5. Complaint receiving centre number*:______________ |
| 6. Category of grievance(please tick therelevant box/ boxes): |
| a. Wrong billing___ b. Recovery of arrears ___c. Faulty Meter ___ d. Burnt meter ___e. Supply interruption ___f. Harmonics in supply ___ g. Supply voltage related ___h.Deficient service ___ i. Delay in providing new connection ___ j.Reconnection ___k. Change in connected load ___ l. Transfer ofconnection ___ m. Others(please specify)__________________________________________ |
| 7. Name, designation and office address of theemployee / employees against whom grievance has been filed(ifany): |
| _________________________________________________________________ |
| 8. Details of the grievance, facts giving riseto the grievance*(If space is not sufficient please encloseseparate sheet) |
| __________________________________________________________________________ |
| __________________________________________________________________________ |
| __________________________________________________________________________ |
| 9. Nature of relief sought from the Forum |
| __________________________________________________________________________ |
| __________________________________________________________________________ |
| 10. List of documents enclosed(Pleaseenclose copies of any relevant documents which support the factsgiving rise to the grievance) |
| _______________________ |
| ________________________ |
| ________________________ |
| 11. Declaration |
| (a) I/ We, the Complainant /s herein declarethat: |
| (i) the information furnished herein above istrue and correct; and |
| (ii) I/ We have not concealed or misrepresentedany fact stated hereinabove and the documents submitted herewith. |
| (b) The subject matter of the present Grievancehas never been submitted to the Forum by me/ or by any one of usor by any of the parties concerned with the subject matter to thebest of my/ our knowledge. |
| (c) The subject matter of my / our Grievance hasnot been settled through the Forum in any previous proceedings. |
| (d) The subject matter of my / our Grievance hasnot been decided by any competent authority/court/arbitrator, andis not pending before any such authority / court / arbitrator. |
| Yours faithfully |
| (Signature) |
| (Complainant's name in block letters) |
| Nomination- (If the Complainant wants tonominate his representative to appear and make submissions on hisbehalf before the Forum, the following declaration should besubmitted.) |
| I/We the above named consumer hereby nominateShri/Smt........................................................... ,whose address is......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... as my/ourREPRESENTATIVE in the proceedings and confirm that any statement,acceptance or rejection made by him/her shall be binding onme/us. He/She has signed below in my presence. |
| Accepted |
| (Signature of Representative) |
| (Signature of Complainant) |
1. Status of grievance redressal
| S. No | Parameters | Delay in restoring supply | Quality of Supply | Meter Problems | Billing Problems | Quality of Service | Others | Total |
| 1 | Grievances pending at the end of previousquarter | |||||||
| 2 | Grievances received during this quarter | |||||||
| 3 | Total grievances (1+2) | |||||||
| 4 | Grievances attended during this quarter | |||||||
| 5 | Balance grievances to be attended (3-4) | |||||||
| 6 | Grievances successfully redressed during thisquarter | |||||||
| 7 | Grievances in the process of redressal | |||||||
| 8 | Grievances escalated to Ombudsman |