Power cut? You can claim relief

Consumers can seek compensation for disruption in power supply for 24 hrs

If not, you can get a tinge of many other other do’s and don’ts from the office of consumer grievance redressal forums (CGRFs) or that of Electricity Ombudsman in Bangalore.

Disclosing this at the maiden consumers grievance redressal meeting at B N Bahadur hall here on Wednesday, electricity ombudsman B R Jayaramaraje Urs said many consumers are unaware of the provisions that could help alleviate their woes.

Giving a call to all the electricity supply companies (Escoms) in the State to take steps to protect the interests of their consumers by educating them, the officer said they (companies) should serve the consumers with a motto of service and remain consumer friendly.

Electricity ombudsman since its inception in 2005, has addressed 105 cases comprising all the companies.

 All the companies are equipped with exclusive facility at CGRFs. Any aggrieved persons pertaining to problems with regard to electricity and related aspects could knock on their doors.

Problem

In case the problem was not to take care of at that level, the consumers can bank on the ombudsman’s office for redressal. He stressed on giving wide publicity to make consumers aware of the utilities, as the Escoms had earmarked a sum of Rs 3.5 crore for publicity alone and the funds could be effectively made use of.

He recalled how the government’s monopoly over power generation and distribution had given way for the establishment of Escoms, which had ushered in flexibility and ensured quality power supply and service.

The ushering in of the Electricity Act in 2003 had encouraged private players to take to power generation.

The reforms have not only broken the stranglehold of the Government on the power sector, but also expanded the service.

Managing director of Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (Cesc), P Bore Gowda, chief engineer Shanti, grievance redressal forum member maj. gen. S G Vombatkere (retd.), Muralidhar from the consumer advocacy forum of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission and others were present.

 Hear me sir...

Whenever there is any disruption in power supply, it’s the people who raise their voice first. In contrast to this, barring a few consumers, both individuals and representatives of organisations attended consumers grievances redressal meeting organised by Cesc.

K Ravindra Prabhu, a representative of the Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry(MCCI) demanded for getting rid of imposing penalties on business establishments and industries, based on the reading of the meter readers. He reasoned that the very procedure was unscientific, as most of the high tension wires passing through important junctions here lack guards to prevent likely accidents.
He also demanded that unscheduled power cuts should be notified to facilitate consumers especially industrialists to work in accordance with the facility.

Krishnamurthy, a businessman brought to the notice of electricity ombudsman that he is yet to get the security deposit made with CESC to obtain power connection to his shop (now managed by another party), for the last three years.

K B Lingaraju, a farmer wanted Vidyut Adalat to be revived to help consumers to air their grievances. Steps should be taken to put off street lights that remain aglow even after dawn.

Major General S G Vombatkere (retd.), a member of CGRF under Cesc noted that the body should be well equipped to chop tree branches in monsoon to the minimum extent. The CGRF meetings must be convened once a month. The company should maintain switches and boxes relating to street lights, besides monitoring the power drawn from direct lines during occasions and put up citizens charter at CESC offices.

S. Vasant, hon president of the Karnataka Electrical Contractors Association, Raghavendra, chairman of MCCI, Ramesh, president of the Mysore District Electrical Contractors Association and Anantaramu, a farmer also filed their grievances.