UERC notifies new set of regulations

Dehra Dun, Apr 27 (UNI): The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) today notified regulations for the electricity distribution sector of the state to bring about effeciency in operation of electricity distribution business.

The notified regulations being, 'Electricity Supply Code' and 'Standard of Performance' of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited. It aims to make available improved quality of supply and service to consumers and maintain prescribed standard of performance by distribution licensee companies in a transparent and equitable manner Briefing the media today about the regulations Chairman of UERC Divakar Dev said that the newly introduced regulations of Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations 2007 and Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (Standard of Performance) Regulations 2007 have come into force with effect from April 21, 2007.

He devulged that the regulations contained condition that if a distribution licensee company fails to fulfill the conditions and requirements of supply to consumers as specified in the Supply Code or fails to meet the prescribed standard of performance, it shall be liable to such compensation to the consumer affected as specified in these regulations, without prejudice to the imposition of any other penalty by the Commission or prosecution of the licensee company.

He appraised that the new regulations cover procedures for new connections for temporary supply, transfer of connection arising on account of change of consumer's name due to change in ownership, change of name to legal heir and change of catagory.

The regulations, he said, also set rules and prcedures for metering and billing including testing of meters, change or replacement of burnt meters, struck meters and procedures for billing in such cases, besides containing the procedures for handling matters relating to complaints on consumer bills, arrears appearing on the bills, payment on self assesment basis, advanced payment of anticipated bills by the consumers.

Mr. Dev said that procedures had been laid down for disconection and reconection of supply, booking cases on theft of electricity and unauthorised use of electricity in a very logical and transparent manner, providing reasonable opportunity to the person concerned to explain his position in the case of theft or unaouthorised use.

He maintained that the licensee company would have to pay compensation to the consumers as per the slated norms in the regulations for failures in its performances in restoration of power, faulty billings and other service areas.

''However the compensation stipulated in cases such as billing, transfer of consumer's connection and conversion of services and meter complaints shall come to effect from 1st October 2007 and that of power supply failure would come in affect from 1st April 2008,'' he said.

UNI