Section 5 in Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (Grievances Redressal Forum and Ombudsman) Regulations, 2004
5. Appointment of ombudsman.
(1)The Commission may from time to time appoint or otherwise designate such person or persons, as the Commission may consider appropriate, as the Ombudsman to discharge the functions under Sub-section (7) of Section 42 of the Act and under these Regulations.(2)The Commission may appoint or designate more than one Ombudsman for a Licensee or a common Ombudsman or Ombudsmen for two or more Distribution Licensees.(3)The Ombudsman shall be selected by the Commission from amongst persons who have experience and exposure in legal, engineering, economics, finance, industry, civil service or consumer affairs or amongst persons of eminence.(4)Selection Committee - The Selection Committee for Ombudsman shall consist of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission. The Chairperson of the Commission shall be the Chairperson of the Selection Committee and the Secretary of the Commission shall be the Convenor of the Committee.No appointment/designating of the Ombudsman shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy in the Selection Committee.(5)Terms of Office - The Ombudsman shall be appointed for a term of three years or till he attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, provided that no person shall be appointed as Ombudsman after he attains the age of 62 years. The Ombudsman shall not be eligible for reappointment.Ombudsman may relinquish his office by giving in writing to the Commission a notice of not less than three months.A person after ceasing to hold office of Ombudsman shall not accept any commercial employment or represent any person before the Commission or any Authority for two years from the date he ceases to hold such office.(6)Removal - Commission, may by order, remove from office, the Ombudsman, if he-(i)has been adjudged as insolvent;(ii)has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Commission, involves moral turpitude;(iii)has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as Ombudsman;(iv)has acquired such financial or other interest as likely to affect prejudicially his functions as Ombudsman;(v)has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest:Provided that the Ombudsman shall not be removed from office on any ground specified in Sub-clauses (iv) and (v) unless on an inquiry, made in accordance with such procedure as may be laid down by the Commission, it is found that the Ombudsman should be removed on such ground or grounds.(7)Emoluments -The Ombudsman shall receive a consolidated salary and such other allowances as determined by the Commission, by order, from time to time :Provided that the Commission may, by general order, revise the salary and other allowances of the Ombudsman from time to time :Provided further that salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of appointment of Ombudsman shall not be varied to his/their disadvantage after appointment.(8)Expenses of the Ombudsman - The Commission may pass such direction/order, as it thinks appropriate, to meet the expenses of the Ombudsman and its staff.(9)Staff of the Ombudsman - The number and nature of staff of the Ombudsman shall be as laid down in the Appendix of these Regulations.The Ombudsman shall exercise administrative control over its staff and office expenditures.
