The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules: 2020, which gives many rights to electricity consumers across the country, was notified on Monday. The law also gives consumers the right to 24-hour electricity. If the power companies cut the power supply beyond the stipulated time, the consumers will have to pay compensation. With this notification, the new rule has come into force.
The monopoly of electricity companies will come to an end
Minister for Power and Renewable Energy RK Singh said that at present there is a monopoly of power companies across the country. Customers have no choice. In these circumstances a new rule was needed to give consumers the right and arrangements to enforce it. Now the monopoly of the power companies will come to an end.
The new power rule was drafted by the power ministry in September. The Union Minister said that more than 100 suggestions were received regarding this rule. These suggestions are included in the Final Rules. It has customers in mind.
Compensation will be credited directly to the bank account
The rule gives power consumers a number of rights, including modification of new or existing connections, metering arrangements, billing and payment. Consumers will have to pay compensation if the electricity companies do not provide timely service. This compensation will be credited directly to the customer's bank account. Responsibility for determining compensation is vested in the Regulatory Commission. Electricity companies have to supply customers 24 hours a day. However, customers with special types of connections, including agriculture, will get less supply.
Metro City will get a new connection in 7 days
Sanjeev N Sahai, secretary, power affairs, said that under the new rules, it would be the responsibility of the power companies to provide services at designated places as per the demand of the customers. Companies will have to provide new connections in Metro City in 7 days. This period will be 15 days in municipal areas and 30 days in rural areas.
Consumers will get a new right: now the right to get electricity for 24 hours, if there is more power cut than the stipulated time, they will also get compensation.
