Section 7 in Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum and Ombudsman) Regulations, 2019
7. Constitution of Forum and Appointments of its Members.
(1)The Forum shall consist of not less than three members including the Chairperson. Out of the three Members, not more than two members shall be appointed by the Commission out of the panel recommended by the licensee and at least one member shall be independent member to be appointed purely by the Commission. The Distribution licensee shall submit a panel of at least 2 persons for each post to the Commission, who are eligible according to the qualifications hereinafter prescribed. Members shall be a person of experience, ability, integrity and standing and shall work full time. The qualification and experience for appointment of Chairperson and Members shall be as under:-(i)Chairperson of the Forum shall be a retired district Judge/Additional District Judge or a retired judicial officer having at least 20 years of experience in legal/judicial profession or a retired civil servant not below the rank of a district collectorOrShall be a retired officer of any State/Central Power Sector departments/PSU/Autonomous Bodies in Power Sector not below the rank of Executive Engineer or equivalent possessing degree in electrical/mechanical/electronics/computer engineering and having at least 20 years experience or serving officer of the power utilities not below the rank of Executive Engineer. (Not below the rank of Assistant Engineer in case of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands)(ii)Member shall be a retired officer of any State/Central Power Sector Department's/PSU not below the rank of Executive Engineer or equivalent possessing degree in electrical/mechanical/ electronics/computer engineering and having at least 15 years experience preferably in matters relating to the distribution of electricity or a serving officer of the distribution licensee of the same jurisdiction not below the rank of Executive Engineer. (Not below the rank of Assistant Engineer in case of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands).(iii)Independent Member shall be an individual possessing minimum bachelor degree preferably in Engineering (Electrical/Mechanical/Electronics/Computer)/Law/Public Administration/Journalism/Economics/Political Science or equivalent having at least 5 years of experience preferably with 5 years of experience in consumer related matters.Provided that a person to be appointed as Independent Member of the Forum shall not have been in the employment in any capacity under, or agency of, the licensee; for a minimum period of one year prior to his being designated/appointed as the Independent Member of the Forum.(2)The License shall, for the purpose of appointment of Chairperson and Member of the Forum, other than the Independent member invite applications through public advertisement at least six months prior to accrual of the vacancy, The licensee shall submit for appointment by the Commission, a panel of at least two names against each post two month in advance from accrual of the vacancy. Thereafter, the candidate appointed by the Commission shall join the forum under intimation to the Licensee and the Commission.(3)No person shall be appointed and/or be entitled to continue as a Member if -(i)he has been adjudged as an insolvent; or(ii)he has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the licensee, involves moral turpitude; or(iii)he has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as such a Member; or(iv)he has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as a Member; or(v)he has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to public interest; or(vi)he has been guilty of proven misbehaviour; or(vii)his consistent negligence towards the duties is established(viii)Has without reasonable cause refused or failed to discharge his functions for a period of at least three months; or(ix)Ceases to fulfil any of the conditions of his appointment as member; or
