Tangedco mandates written complaints for compensation

Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission has proposed an amendment to this effect inthe Tamil Nadu Electricity Distribution Standards of Performance Regulations.

According to the regulations, Tangedco was supposed to maintain the standards for the various services including effecting new service connection, acting on complaints like meter replacement, low voltage and power cut in certain time schedule. If the Tangedco fails to adhere to the time schedule to act on the consumer application or complaint, the consumer will be entitled for compensation. Earlier, Tangedco was supposed to pay the compensation automatically to theconsumers but the system hardly worked.

In proposed amendment to the regulation, TNERC said that the consumer has to file written claim to the area engineer seeking compensation.“A consumer who is aggrieved by the non-compliance of the standards of performance specified in this regulation may make a written claim to the area engineer of the licensee within thirty days of violation of the guaranteed standard.

The area engineer shall take a decision on the claim made by the consumer in accordance with the Distribution Standards of Performance regulations and if found in order, the compensation shall be paid through credit entry in the next/future bill of electricity charges within ninety days from the date of the claim,” it said. If the grievance of the consumer is not redressed fully or if there is a dispute in the payment of compensation, the affected consumer may approach the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum of the Circle for relief, it added. The commission has invited comments fromthe public on the proposed amendment byDecember 24.