Panel asks states to represent cases against discoms

In their report, while pointing out 8216;8216;what is lacking is the true implementation of all these provisions8217;8217; under the act, they say, 8216;8216;state governments should make serious and meaningful interventions in the interest of the consumers in all the relevant fora.8217;8217;

While recommending a consumer awareness programme, they added 8216;8216;8230;concerned state governments should be asked to represent the consumers and contest the cases on their behalf to protect their interests, if there is any proposal of tariff revision from the private discoms8217;8217;.

Stressing on the need to pursue this 8216;8216;vigorously8217;8217; the Standing Committee8217;s recommendation comes at a time when the power ministry is seeking advice on regulatory matters from incumbents of the industry and is expected to hold a meeting with stakeholders and experts this month.

Such a recommendation, especially on states representing consumers8217; cases on tariff revisions, would make the concerned governments more sensitive to the performance of the distribution companies discoms and keep their end of the commitments in the form of state subventions under close check.

Added to this recommendation, the committee also asked the power ministry to initiate consumer indexing to ensure that consumers get both appropriate quantity and good quality power. As frequent voltage fluctuations coupled with unanticipated shut downs affect consumer durables, the committee, in its report, says that such indexing 8216;8216;is the sure shot way of identifying problem areas in any locality or user8217;s place as to what is afflicting the quality and quantity of power supply8217;8217;.