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Walia for review of Electricity Act

NEW DELHI: Not satisfied with the existing mechanisms for redressing consumer grievances, the Delhi Government’s Power Department wants the Centre to review the current Electricity Act and evolve provisions that secure the consumers’ rights.

Power Minister A.K. Walia has written to his counterpart at the Centre, Sushil Kumar Shinde, suggesting a review of the Act and the consumer grievance redress mechanisms.

Pointing out that the current forums for redressing grievances “appear to favour power distribution companies more than the consumers”, Dr. Walia has called for setting up of a cell that will be legally empowered to provide relief to consumers.

“Although we have a consumer grievance cell headed by a retired justice, there is a feeling of discontent among consumers. Most consumers do not seem happy with the functioning of the distribution companies…so we took the decision to have a forum that will provide consumers a chance to put forth their complaints and seek relief,” Dr. Walia said.

Sources said the Power Department has recommended the “establishment of the Electricity Consumer Forums at district levels to address the grievances of consumers”.

“Consumers have shown little faith in the ombudsman and the public grievance cell. Even though Regulation 22 of the Electricity Act specifies that award or the order if the ombudsman will be final and binding on the parties, there are no enforcement tools to get it executed in case of non-compliance,” sources said referring to the role of the ombudsman. Seeking judicial powers for redress cells, the department has also suggested “establishment of appellate forums at State levels by the State Governments and more powers to the High Court to hear further appeals”.

“These recommendations have been made for quick and dedicated dispute resolution, increasing the confidence of electricity consumers and ensure uniformity in procedures,” the source said.

The suggestion calls for making appropriate provisions in the Electricity Act for the setting up of electricity consumer forums.

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