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DERC Moots Proposal to Directly Appoint Grievance Redressal Forum Chiefs

  • New Delhi In an effort to make hearing of consumer grievance cases related to power supply issues more transparent, power regulator Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) plans to directly appoint and maintain the top management of the four consumer grievance redressal forums in the Capital. So far, though DERC’s consent was required for the appointments, the discoms were responsible for inviting applications for the posts and also paid the salaries of the top management.
  • The regulator has been flooded with complaints from consumers alleging that the forums are not transparent and fair. DERC Chairman P D Sudhakar told Newsline, “Though about 80-85 per cent of the cases heard by the forums are decided in favour of the consumers, there has been a concern among consumers that the functioning of the forums should be made more transparent. In an effort to do this and also make the functioning of the forums more independent, we propose to take over the responsibility of appointing as well discharging the salaries of the top management.”
  • So far the four power suppliers — North Delhi Power Limited, BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna and New Delhi Municipal Council — that have a consumer grievance redressal forum each in their area, were responsible for appointing and maintaining the top management of the forums. This comprises a chairperson and two members who regularly hear cases related to grievances on power supply and connections.
  • Earlier too DERC’s consent was taken before the appointment of the top management of the forums but the regulator was not involved in the process of inviting applications and shortlisting the candidates. Officials said this move is likely to instill confidence in consumers and will also help the forums function more independently.
  • The power regulator had last month issued a draft of the DERC (Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and Ombudsman) Regulations, 2011, that will effect a change in the process of appointment and maintenance of the top management of the grievance redressal forums. Comments from all the stakeholders such as consumers as well as the discoms have been invited by December 13. A public hearing is slated to be held by the end of December.
  • “Once the consultative process is over, the amendment can be passed. However, the current structure of the forums will not be disturbed but all future appointments forums will be done by us,” Sudhakar said.
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