Deliberations in the 2nd Technical Session in the OERC Workshop

SOUTHCO
 Bills carry the name of GRF to which the consumer belongs.
 Also mentioned is the compensation package.
 SOUTHCO complying GRF order (99%).

WESCO
 Same as SOUTHCO.
 Bills are served in alternative months with names of GRF written on them.
 Tariff structure also is mentioned.
 The licensee sometimes approaches higher courts against the orders of GRF.
 Consumers should explore complaint handling procedure before going to higher court.
 Moderator Shri K.C. Badu asked whether any mechanism existed to expeditiously address the grievances of the consumer.

NESCO
 GRFs should go to division level.
 58 cases are left in GRF to be resolved.

CEO, CESU
 Information about GRF is published on a quarterly basis for the information of the consumers.
 Theft control should be addressed by the Govt.
 Interface between Consumers and Licensees vital.
 Pilot studies on metering are done and pillar box metering is attempted without any discrimination.

OPTCL
 OPTCL has no role to play in consumer grievances.
 OPTCL only addresses the grievances of DISTCOs

Dr. G.C. Kar, SAC
 DISTCOs act as commission agent.
 Revenue collection should be commensurate with quality of service provided.
 Negligible investment by DISTCOs
 DISTCOs should not blame the consumers.
 Participation of consumers and DISTCOs required.
 Regulations should be printed in Oriya and circulated among Gram Panchayats.
 Consumer grievances should be addressed at grass root level.
Mr. Subranshu Roy, Jajpur Road
 GRIDCO as middle man should go.
 DISTCOs should purchase power directly from generators.

Mr. Acharya, SAC
 Licensees do not accept complaints.
GRF should directly intervene in such cases.
 Licensees do not honour GRF’s orders.
 GRF notices are not received by the licensees – it is alleged.

Mr. D. Jena, Bhubaneswar Consumer association
 Even people of Bhubaneswar are not aware of their rights as consumers.
 Information about GRF is not given in the bills.
 OERC should strictly implement the standards and regulations.

Mr. Ananta Routaray, Grahak Seva
 Simplified procedures of addressing consumer grievances should be circulated among GPs.

Mr. K.N. Jena, President, OCA
 Consumer awareness should be created about rights and standards of performance.
 Law shall benefit people if properly implemented.
 Consumer meets should be organized at district level.
 Regulations translated in Oriya language should be circulated to create awareness among consumers.

Shri S.K. Nanda
 OERC should employ consultants to examine whether licensees are operating within the prescribed standards.

Shri S.C. Mandal, Rourkela
 Consumer complaints should be handled by consumer organizations.

Mr. Baikunthanath Pradhan, Bhadrak
 Rule books should be provided with new electricity connections.
 Funds and staff crunch are cited as reasons.

Shri Nakul Nayak, Sarapancha, Kokasara
 Negligence of electricity department has caused loss of property and lives.
 What type of compensation shall be given to those who lost their property and lives in electrical accidents?
 Bribes demanded for Kutir Jyoti supply.
 Arrears reappear after payment of bills.
 Meters are not supplied in time.

Mr. Jamesh Sabar, Gunupur
 Load shedding does exist everyday.
 Transformers not repaired for years.

Sarapancha, Tulasipur, Balipatna Block
 Hardly kutri jyoti consumers exist in Balipatna block.

Executive Officer, Muncipalty, Baripada
 Power supply under APDRP scheme should be expedited

President GRF, Jeypore
 On the spot order is provided to address consumer grievances.

President GRF, Rourkela
 Complaints are taken up directly.
 Cases are disposed off within 45 days.

Dr. Ramana, XIMB
 If anything is wrong with the sector, OERC needs to blame.
 The proactive role of the Regulator is missing.
 Notwithstanding the suggestions of the SAC members, OERC has not changed its soft stand on matters important for consumer.
 Utilities need to be pulled up.

Mr B.K. Mohapatra, SAC
 Licensees should know in advance the status of the apparatus they have in various zones.
Mr. Maheswar Baug, SAC
 The objectives of the Act, 2003 namely, efficiency, economy and competitiveness have not been fulfilled.
 Consumer bills should be served in Oriya language with details of GRF contained in them.
 Regulations should be discussed in GP level.
 To create awareness about consumer rights, a PUSTIKA may be prepared by OERC and circulated.
 Licensees need to be penalized for violation of OERC standards.

Mr. P.K. Das, SAC
 Electricity market needs to be friendly and service oriented.
 Until now no standard, no performance.
 Policies should be service-and welfare-oriented.
 Utilities and consumers should know their respective responsibilities.

Mr. S.C. Mohanty, SAC
 Facilities to address consumer grievances that existed during OSEB regime do not exist now.
 All round chaos prevails in every sphere of electricity sector.
Despite huge benefits received by the GOO from the power sector reforms, the Govt. has not come forward to invest a pie.
 Poor maintenance, lack of manpower and funds are the reasons for poor performance.
 Vivek Pattnaik Committee Report should be implemented.
 DISTCOs are not investing a pie for infrastructural development.

Dr. Arati Mohanty, GRF
 Boards/leaflets don’t exist infront of GRF office