UPSC Articles
The Draft Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2021
Part of: Prelims and GS III – Infrastructure
Context The Draft Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2021 were recently published.
Overview of the new rules
- Distribution licensees should ensure 24×7 uninterrupted power supply to all consumers so that there is no requirement of running Diesel Generating (DG) sets.
- The electricity regulatory commission could consider a separate reliability charge for the distribution company, if it required funds for investment in infrastructure.
- The state electricity regulatory commission should also make a provision of penalty in case the standards laid down are not met by the distribution company.
Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020
- These rules serve to “empower” consumers with rights that would allow them to access continuous supply of quality, reliable electricity.
- The areas covered under the rules include metering arrangement; billing and payment; reliability of supply, etc.
Key Provisions
- States will have to implement these rules and discoms will be held more accountable for issues like delays in providing and renewing connections of electricity.
- They are also obligated to provide round-the-clock electricity to consumers, as per the Ministry of Power.
- To ensure compliance, the government will apply penalties that will be credited to the consumer’s account.
- There are certain exceptions to these rules, especially where use for agricultural purposes is concerned.
Do you know?
- Electricity is a Concurrent List (Seventh Schedule) subject and the central government has the authority and the power to make laws on it.
