New Electricity Rules: In order to achieve the goal of providing electricity to every household in the country, the central government has given some new rights to electricity consumers.
The government has released the notification of Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020. In which many rules related to electricity supply, new electricity connection, restart of old connection, meter management and bill payment have been prepared. This is the first time that standards have been set for electricity consumers.
Getting an electricity connection became easier
The process of taking new connections and changing the existing connections will be more transparent, easier and timely. For this, online application can also be given. According to the new rule, the maximum time limit for taking new connections or changing existing connections in metro cities is 7 days, 15 days for municipal areas and 30 days for rural areas.
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No meter connection
According to the new rules, no connection will be given without a meter. The new meter should be a smart pre-payment meter or pre-payment meter. Provisions have also been made for replacement of defective or burnt or stolen meters.
Transparency in bills and tariffs
In the new rules, there is a focus on transparency in electricity bills and tariffs, in addition to online or offline payment of bills, provision for advance bill payment has also been made.
24X7 power supply
Electricity distribution companies (DISCOMS) will have to supply 24×7 electricity to all consumers. However, the State Commission may prescribe minimum hours of electricity supply for certain categories of consumers.
Consumer will get compensation for bad services
If the power companies (DISCOM) fail to supply electricity, then they will have to pay compensation to the consumer, this compensation will be given to the consumers automatically, it will also be monitored.
Compensation under these circumstances
Electricity distribution companies may have to pay compensation from Rs 6000 to Rs 1 lakh per day to consumers, certain circumstances have been fixed for this
1. If the power companies are not able to supply electricity to the consumer even after a certain time. ,
2. If the supply interrupts more than a fixed time, interrupts.
3.How long did it take to get the connection, disconnect the connection, re-connect the connection and shifting.
Complaints will have to be resolved in due time
Electricity companies will have to specify a fixed period for redressal of complaints. Under the new provision, complaints should be disposed off within a maximum of 45 days.
