Utilities to pay for deficiency in service
Jangveer Singh/TNS

Chandigarh, December 7
Now consumers stand to gain if the state electricity utilities fail to provide efficient service with the State Power Regulatory Commission making it mandatory for the utilities to address complaints within a fixed timeframe.

A notification on the State Power Regulatory Commission’s site says that the consumers will be compensated for any deficiency in service by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) beginning January 1 next year.

The licencees will have to register every complaint made by a consumer telephonically, electronically or in writing on failure/interruption in supply, defects in meter and bill payments. If a consumer is not provided services in the time period specified in the notification, he may submit a compensation claim with the nodal officer of the Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC). If dissatisfied, he can further pursue the claim with the ‘Forum for Redressal of Grievances of Consumers’.

The compensation will be paid by way of adjustment in the power bills of the succeeding months.