Consumer Education & Research Centre

Ref. : ER/Press/Court.5/DG/06

Electricity Consumers of Gujarat Urged to Prefer to Approach Consumer Courts for Justice

Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Ahmedabad, advises electricity consumers of Gujarat to prefer to approach consumer courts to resolve their complaints and grievances. Though the Electricity Act, 2003 is consumer oriented and has made electricity companies accountable, the machinery created under the Act is being misused by these companies and the Government of Gujarat for their own benefit, rendering consumers helpless and at their mercy.

Earlier, the consumer had option to approach the appellate authorities which had one or two independent members from outside the utilities but now the Government of Gujarat has taken shelter of the Act and bestowed this power on electrical inspector which is also a part of Government organisation.

Consumers cannot expect justice from such authorities who are influenced by both the Government and the utilities. The Supreme Court of India has disapproved of Tribunals being manned by non-judicial members.

The provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003 mandates distribution licensees to set up a consumer grievance redressal Forum consisting of three members with one member from a consumer group or association. Somehow due to pressure from the electricity companies, the Union Ministry of Power has brought about an amendment and now all three members can be opted from officers of the distribution companies. Therefore, the whole purpose of consumer redressal is defeated if all the members are from utilities.

CERS has filed an objection before the Ministry of Power for bringing about this amendment without consulting consumers and consumer organisations.

CERS, therefore, requests electricity consumers of Gujarat to approach consumer courts directly or through recognised consumer organisations for resolution of their grievances. Once the order of the consumer forum set up by the utility or the appellate authorities (electrical inspector) is passed, it can be appealed only before the Gujarat High Court which is a time and money consuming process.

CERS, therefore, requests consumers not to approach or file cases before the consumer forum set up by the utility or the appellate authorities appointed by the Government of Gujarat and instead approach consumer courts where appeals can be filed before the State Commission and the National Commission under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Date : 08/02/2006

Editor : Pritee Shah
INSIGHT — The Consumer Magazine
Place : Ahmedabad