The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) on August 27, 2024, issued the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum and Ombudsman) Regulations, 2024.
The following has been stated:
• Establishment of Forum:
Every distribution licensee shall, within six months, from the grant of license including the deemed licensee, establish, in its area of supply, under sub-section (5) of section 42 of the Act, a Forum for Redressal of Grievances of the consumers, in accordance with the guidelines contained in these Regulations.
• Constitution of Forum:
o The distribution licensee shall establish Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) under sub-section (5) of section 42 of the Act at different levels to cater the needs of the sub- division, division, circle, zone, company level. The forum shall be headed by an officer of the licensee of appropriate seniority. The forum shall consist of officers of the licensee and have not more than four members as consumer and prosumer representatives. The Appropriate Commission shall nominate one independent member who is familiar with the consumer affairs.
o The Commission may direct the Distribution licensee to create an additional CGRF over and above the existing CGRFs, considering factors such as ease of access for the consumers and the geographical area, the number of representations received, disposal of representations within the specified time limit.
This notification will come into force from August 27, 2024.
[Notification No JERC-31/2024]
