The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed the power utility to publicise its system to address consumers’ complaints, according to a press release from the Regulator.
The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation has a Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum in each of its circle. But its customers are not aware of the forum and the Commission continues to get a large number of consumer complaints in its office. But the forum receives only a few complaints.
A wide range of issues including complaints relating to application for new connections, defective meters, billing disputes and delay in service can be brought before the Redressal Forum headed by the Superintending Engineers of each Circle or District.
The forum also includes two members active in public service.
If the complaints are not addressed within two months, consumers can take up the issue with the Ombudsman in the Regulatory Commission’s office. Issues that affect consumers in general can be brought before the Ombudsman directly by State-level consumers associations.
The regulator has directed the utility to publicise this system over electricity metering cards, application forms and notice boards and the monthly Grievance Day Meetings in each circle. It has also urged consumers to utilise these services.