Section 12(1) in The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Guidelines for Establishment of Forum for Redressal of Grievances of the Consumers and Electricity Ombudsman) Regulations, 2011
(1)The Forum shall,-(a)Refer a copy of such complaint to the nodal officer directing him to give his version of the case within a period of fifteen days or such extended period not exceeding ten days as may be granted by the Forum.(b)Where nodal officer on receipt of a copy of the complaint, referred to him under (a) above denies or disputes the allegation contained in the complaint. Any omission or failure to take any action to represent his case within the time specified by the Forum, the Forum shall proceed to settle the consumer dispute,-(i)On the basis of evidence submitted by the complainant and the Distribution licensee, where the Distribution licensee denies or disputes the allegations contained in the complaint, or(ii)Ex-parte on the basis of evidence brought to its notice by the complainant where the Distribution licensee omits or fails to take any action to represent his case within the time given by the Forum; and(c)Where the complainant fails to appear on the date of hearing before the Forum, the Forum may either dismiss the complaint for default or decide it on merit, if possible, or serve a notice to the complainant to appear in person to explain the grievances within 15 days of the first hearing as decided by the Forum.
