CONSUMER CHARTER
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS OF CONSUMERS
The Consumer Charter is a
synopsis of the rights of consumers
of
electricity under the Electricity Act 2003. The objective of the Charter is:
i)
To enable consumers by creating
an awareness regarding their rights.
ii)
To build an awareness regarding
the services available to consumers and the quality of service that may
reasonably be expected from the electricity distribution licensee(s).
Relevant provisions in this respect
exist in the Supply Code and Conditions of Supply of the Licensee as approved
by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) which are available
on the Commission’s website at www.pserc.nic.in
and the Licensee’s website at www.pspcl.in
A gist of the Consumer Rights is detailed in the ensuing paragraphs.
I. RIGHT TO KNOW:
1. Consumers have the following basic rights in matters related to
electricity supply:
(i)
Right to know the procedure for obtaining a new connection, disconnection,
reconnection, change in load/name/tariff category.
(ii)
Right to know about the
procedure for payment of Electricity bills.
(iii) Right to know about the tariff schedule and Schedule of General Charges
approved by the State Electricity
Regulatory Commission.
(iv) Right to know about the procedure of obtaining Open Access.
(v)
Right to ensure that the
meters installed at their premises are correct.
(vi) Right to know about the Standards of Performance including quality to
be maintained and services
to be provided by the Distribution Licensee(s)
(vii) Right to know about the complaint handling procedure and Grievance
Redressal Mechanism.
2. It is the duty of the Distribution
Licensee to display information regarding Rules and Regulations applicable to
the Supply of Electricity at a bill collection centre. Consumers have the
right to demand copies of the aforementioned Rules and Regulations at a
reasonable price not exceeding the cost of its duplication from any Sub-divisional
office of the Distribution Licensee(s). Consumers can also access the above
documents from the website of the electricity distribution licensee(s).
Regulations
15.11 A (e) (iii) and 15.11 B (e) (iii) of Appendix 3 A of PSERC (Conduct of
Business Regulations) 2005 and
II. PROCEDURE FOR GETTING NEW
CONNECTION:
Consumers have
the right:
1.
To receive application form(s)
prescribed by the Licensee(s) for obtaining new connections on payment of fee
as determined by the Commission.
[Regulation 5.1 of PSERC
(Electricity Supply Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
2. To ensure that the Licensee effects supply of electricity to a premises
pursuant to the submission of an application under Regulation 5 within the time
period stipulated in Regulation 6.3 of the PSERC (Electricity Supply Code & Related
Matters) Regulations, 2007.
3. To ensure that the Licensee(s), will after receipt of the application,
inform the applicant through a demand notice of the Security (Works) required
to be deposited by the applicant and the other conditions to be met with by the
applicant. [Regulation 6.1 of PSERC
(Electricity Supply Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
4. To receive interest from the
Licensee(s) on Security (consumption) and Security (Meter) at the SBI’s long
term PLR prevalent on 1st of April of the relevant year or as
determined by the Commission. [Regulation 17.1 and 19.3 of PSERC (Electricity
Supply Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
5. To receive prior intimation
regarding the visit/ entry into their premises by an authorized representative
of the Electricity Distribution Licensee(s).
[Regulation 41 of PSERC (Electricity Supply
Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
6. To demand proof of identity from representatives of the Distribution Licensee
visiting their premises. [Regulation 41 of (Electricity Supply Code & Related
Matters) Regulations, 2007].
III. METERS AND BILLING:
1. The Licensee(s) will supply the meter/metering
equipment to the applicant at the time of release of a new connection or at any
other time as required by the consumer. The applicant may also obtain and
install meter/metering equipment of his/her own choice provided it is of make(s) as approved by the Licensee(s) and
after getting the same duly tested and sealed at the Licensee’s laboratory.
Information regarding the approved makes of meters may be obtained from the
website of the Licensee or from the concerned Sub Divisional offices of the
Distribution Licensee(s). [Regulation 21.2 (a) of PSERC (Electricity Supply
Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
2. A Consumer may request the Licensee(s) to test the meter/metering
equipment, if there are doubts about its
accuracy. The Licensee will undertake testing on site within seven days of
payment of fee as specified in the Schedule of General Charges approved by the
Commission. Consumers also have the right to receive a copy of the Test Result
sheet. [Regulations 21.4 (b) (i) and 21.4 (d) of PSERC (Electricity Supply Code
& Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
3. If after testing, the meter is found to be defective then the fee
deposited will be refunded by adjustment in the electricity bills for the
immediately succeeding months. In case the meter is found to be correct then
such fee will be forfeited by the Licensee. [Regulation 21.4 (b) (ii) of
PSERC (Electricity Supply Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
3A Overhauling of Consumer Accounts:
If a meter on testing is found to be inaccurate,
the accounts of the consumer will be overhauled and the electricity charges
will be computed in accordance with the test results for a period of 6 months
immediately preceding the
a)
date of test at site undertaken to the satisfaction of consumers or
b)
date of removal of defective meter for test in Licensee’s laboratory where such
testing is at the instance of the Licensee or
c)
date of receipt of request from consumer for testing the meter in the
laboratory of Licensee(s)
Evidence
provided by the consumer about working conditions and/or occupancy of concerned
premises during said period having bearing on computation of electricity
consumption will also be taken into consideration.
[Regulation
21.4 (g) of PSERC (Electricity Supply Code & Related Matters) Regulations,
2007].
4. The consumer has the right to
(a)
Receive bills with such
detailed particulars (including due date for payment) as specified in the
Electricity Supply Code with a periodicity of two months in respect of Domestic
Supply & Non Resident Supply consumers with load less than 50 KW and monthly billing in respect of all other consumers categories.
(b)
Receive bills that will
disclose the periodicity of billing, date when the meter was read, the date of
issue of bill, the due date of payment and the additional amount payable in
case payment is delayed. [Regulation 30 of PSERC
(Electricity Supply Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
(c)
Receive bills with details,
such as the address and phone number of the concerned collection centre,
Consumer Complaint Centre, office of the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums
and Electricity Ombudsman.
(d)
Receive bills detailing mode
of payment, tariff rates and consumption in the last six months. [Annexure 7 to PSERC (Electricity Supply
Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
(e) Receive on request a duplicate
copy of the bill in case of loss of the original. [Regulation 30.10 of
PSERC (Electricity Supply Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
(f) Effect advance payment of future
bills which will be adjusted in the succeeding months. [Regulation 32 of PSERC (Electricity Supply Code & Related Matters)
Regulations, 2007].
IV. DISCONNECTION AND RECONNECTION:
Consumers
have a right:
1.
To receive a minimum of fifteen
clear days’ notice in writing before disconnection on account of default of
payment. [Regulation 39.1 of PSERC
(Electricity Supply Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007]. However, prior notice need not be given in cases where a consumer installation
poses danger to the health or safety of other consumers or employees of the Distribution
Licensee(s) or the public, and in cases of theft or unauthorized use of
electricity.
2. To pay, during the pendency of a dispute
between the consumer and a Licensee, an amount equal to the sum claimed from
him or the electricity charges for each month calculated on the basis of
average charge for electricity consumed during the preceding six months,
whichever is less.
[Regulation 35.1 (a) & (b) of PSERC
(Electricity Supply Code & Related Matters) Regulations, 2007].
3. To restoration of supply within the period
stipulated in the Supply Code if:-
a) Cause of disconnection is
removed or rectified.
b) Payments of amounts due
/prescribed charges are effected.
[Regulation 23.4 (c)
& Regulation 40 of PSERC (Electricity Supply Code & Related
Matters)
Regulations, 2007].
V. STANDARDS OF
PERFORMANCE OF ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION LICENSEE AND CONSUMER SERVICE
CENTRE:
Consumers have a right to:
1.
Receive service as per the
Standards of Performance of the Electricity Distribution Licensee provided for
in the Supply Code.
2.
Approach the Commission for
determination of compensation, if the Licensee fails to meet the Standards
specified.
[Section 57 of the
Electricity Act, 2003]
VI. COMPLAINT HANDLING AND GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL:
Consumers have the right:
1. To receive copies of the rules and procedures for redressal of
grievances made by the Electricity Distribution
Licensee as well as the regulations notified by the PSERC under the provisions
of Section 42(5) and (7) of the Electricity Act, 2003, by paying photocopying charges. [
2. Consumers with complaints of monetary nature such
as wrong billing, application of wrong tariff, metering (except those arising in
matters pertaining to Open Access/theft/unauthorized use) may file complaints
with the Dispute Settlement Committee(s) as per following:
·
Disputed
amount up to Rs.50,000/- Divisional
Dispute Settlement Committee
·
Rs.50,001/-
to Rs.2,00,000/- Circle Dispute
Settlement Committee
·
Above
Rs. 2,00,000/- Zonal
Dispute Settlement Committee
[
3. Any complainant aggrieved by non redressal of
his grievance under the Complaint Handling Procedure of the Licensee may
himself or through his authorized representative, approach the Consumer
Grievances Redressal Forum in writing for the redressal of his grievance. Inaction
on the part of the prescribed authority within the stipulated time period shall
also be treated as non redressal and appeal will lie before the Forum.
[Regulation 4 and
5(2) of PSERC(Forum & Ombudsman) Regulations,2005].
4. Any complainant aggrieved by orders of the
Forum may prefer a representation before the Ombudsman within one month from
the date of receipt of Order of the Forum.
[Regulation 7 (13) & 18 (3)
of PSERC (Forum & Ombudsman) Regulations,2005].
5. Consumers
have the right to know that
·
Dispute
Settlement Committees (DSCs) are required to dispose of complaints within 60 days of filing of complaint.
·
Forum
is also required to dispose of an appeal within 60 days of filing of the
complaint.
·
The
Ombudsman is required to dispose of an appeal within three months from the date
of receipt of representation.
[
6. Consumers may file complaints of general
nature such as delay in release in service connection, delay in issue of first
bill/subsequent bills, receipt of incorrect energy bills, defects in
meter/metering equipments etc. with the concerned AE/AEE.
[