Section 4 in The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (Guidelines For Establishment Of Forum For Redressal Of Grievances Of The Consumers) Guidelines, 2003
4. Constitution of forum for redressal of grievances of the consumers.
(1)Every distribution licensee, shall within six months from the appointed date or grant of licence, whichever is earlier, establish a Forum for redressal of consumer grievances in accordance with these guidelines. The Forum shall be independent of the Licensee.(2)Forum shall consist of not more than three members including the Chairperson of the Forum. The Distribution licensee shall submit before the Commission, a penal of persons who are eligible according to the qualifications hereinafter prescribed and shall appoint only such persons as the Chairperson or members of the Forum whose names have been approved by the Commission.(3)No person shall be eligible to be appointed to the Forum unless he has the following qualifications:(i)[Chairperson of the Forum shall be a person possessing degree in electrical engineering and should have held a post not below the rank of Superintending Engineer and having experience in the distribution of electricity.] [Substituted by letter No. F. 11 (29)/DERC/(2003-04) Pt. File 4276, dated 12th December, 2003](ii)One member shall be a person possessing degree in law and having at least 10 years of experience in legal matters:Provided when the Chairperson of the Forum is unable to discharge the functions owing to absence, illness or any other cause, the member indicated in clause 4 (3) (ii) shall discharge the functions of the Chairperson, until the day on which the Chairperson assumes office.(iii)Another member shall be a representative of a registered society or NGO/ Consumer Organization having one of its main objectives as consumer protection, with at least 5 years of standing or alternatively the representing member should have five years of experience in consumer related matters.(4)The term of the members of Forum shall be for a period of one year from the date of appointment/nomination to the Forum.(5)The Licensee shall appoint /designate one of his officers not lower than the rank of Grade II officer as full time secretary to the Forum and shall also provide required supporting staff as approved by the Commission and office accommodation for functioning of the Forum.(6)The Chairperson of the Forum may instruct the Secretary to call for a meeting of the Forum to be held at such time and at such place as the Chairperson may direct. (7) All decisions of the Forum shall be on the basis of majority of the members present and voting.(8)The quorum for the Forum meeting shall be two and each members shall have one vote and in case of equality of votes on any issue or resolution, the Chairperson or as the case may be, the member of the Forum discharging the functions of the Chairperson under clause 4 (3) (ii) presiding over the meeting shall, in addition, have a casting vote.(9)The Forum shall have sittings at the headquarters of licensee or at any other place in the licensee's area as may be decided by the Chairperson depending on the number of grievances.(10)The licensee shall give wide publicity to the formation of the Forum and shall necessarily obtain a post box number to facilitate easy registration of grievances by consumers.(11)Distribution licensee may specify the salary /honorarium and other allowances payable to, and the terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson and members of the redressal Forum with the approval of the Commission.(12)On occurrence of any vacancy in the Forum by any reason, the distribution licensee shall take action to fill up the vacancy within one month from the date of occurrence of vacancy.(13). The address and phone numbers of the Forum shall be displayed at all the offices of the distribution licensee and wide publicity shall be given in their areas of operation.
