JERC pulls up CPDL, CED over delay in refunding excess meter rentals
Indian Citizens' Forum presses for consumer dues; regulator warns of action for non-compliance
2 min read
Despite the order, refunds have not yet reached consumers, a delay of nearly four months that the ombudsman warned could amount to contempt. (Credit: Pexels)The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has issued a show-cause notice to the Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) and the Chandigarh Electricity Department (CED) for failing to implement orders directing the refund of wrongly charged meter rentals to city consumers.
The notice, dated July 17, 2025, warns that unless both agencies reply within two weeks, JERC will initiate proceedings under Section 142 of the Electricity Act, 2003. It follows repeated reminders by the Electricity Ombudsman, who upheld a Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum (CGRF) order on April 16, 2025, in favour of the Indian Citizens Forum (ICF).
The ombudsman had directed CED and CPDL to refund excess meter rentals collected over 16 months with interest at the base rate of the State Bank of India, correct all bills within 15 days, and pay consumers Rs 100 per day for delays beyond the stipulated period. It also required the agencies to submit a compliance report within 30 days.
Despite the order, refunds have not yet reached consumers, a delay of nearly four months that the ombudsman warned could amount to contempt.
The ICF delegation, led by president S K Nayar and secretary Narinder Sharma, met CPDL director Arun Kumar Verma and general manager M P Singh on Wednesday, pressing for immediate refunds.
Verma assured the forum that CPDL would process refunds through upcoming bills as soon as it receives the final list of affected consumers from CED.
The ICF leaders said they would continue to monitor the issue. “Consumers cannot be made to wait endlessly for what is rightfully theirs,” Nayar said, adding that further delays would leave the regulator with “no option but to act”.
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