Power consumers still in dark about rights,reveals MERC survey

The MERC,which is a State Electricity Regulatory Commission established by the state government having broad powers related to regulating tariffs and dispute settlement among other mandate,had selected 30 talukas of Maharashtra,including Baramati zone for the survey.

During the survey,whose final report was recently made public,a total of 12,177 electricity consumers were surveyed,of which 6,110 were urban consumers and 6,067 rural consumers. The survey covered residential as well as commercial consumers across 30 semi-urban areas and 120 rural areas.

The survey found that on the whole,only three consumers (out of 12,177 surveyed) were aware of the fact that if MSEDCL (Mahavitaran) does not comply with the order passed by “Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum” or “Electricity Ombudsman”,the consumer can file a petition with MERC for getting the compliance of the order.

Significantly,a whooping 74.7 per cent of the respondents said they had faced problems relating to electricity connection and even complaints regarding inflated or excess billing,voltage fluctuation and interruption or failure or even disconnection of electric supply.

What consumers should know

What is MERC

Forums for complaints registration and redressal,Customer Facilitation Centre,Internal Grievance Redressal Cell,Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF),Electricity Ombudsman and online forum among others.

MERC (Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensees,Period for Giving Supply and Determination of Compensation) Regulations,2005,MERC (Electricity Supply Code and Other Conditions of Supply) Regulations,2005,MERC (Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) & Electricity Ombudsman) Regulations,2006 The Electricity Act,2003

How to improve awareness

MSEDCL/ Mahavitaran need to have separate notice boards at its offices to display the information related to consumer rights and consumer grievance redressal mechanism in local language (Marathi).

It needs to publicise the information about the same through mass media (television,radio and newspapers) on quarterly basis.

It should disseminate the desired information among its consumers in the form of pamphlets along with the bills and without bills separately.

It should organize information camps and public hearing,after prior announcement,at panchayat level as well as at taluka level on a half yearly basis as half of the electricity consumers’ education is below SSC/HSC level.