The Hindu Business Line : APERC lays down norms to penalise erring State power utilities

ELECTRICITY consumers in Andhra Pradesh can claim compensation from the power utilities in the State if the licensees defaulted in complying with guaranteed standards of performance specified by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC).

As per the draft regulations finalised by APERC in respect of licensees duty to supply of electricity on request, their power to recover expenses and their standards of performance, the licensees are required to comply with the guaranteed standards of performance and has to pay compensation to the affected parties in case of default.

In individual cases of default, the draft regulations say, licensee is required to pay the compensation automatically without waiting for any claim from the affected party. In cases where a group of consumers are affected (eg. line breakdowns and transformer failures), the compensation is payable only on a claim from the affected parties.

The levels of compensation payable to affected consumer for default as per the draft regulations are:

Rs 100 in the case of normal fuse-off leading to a breakdown in power supply for a period of up to 4 hours in cities and towns and up to 12 hours in rural areas.

Rs 100 to each affected consumer in the case of line breakdowns up to 6 hours in urban areas and up to 24 hours in rural areas.

Rs 200 to each affected consumer for failure of distribution transformer up to 24 hours in urban areas and up to 48 hours in rural areas.

Rs 200 to each affected consumer if the period of scheduled outages exceeded 12 hours and power was not restored by 6 p.m. on any day.

Rs 200 in each case of default if the licensee did not rectify voltage variations within 10 days even when no enhancement of network is involved.

With regard to meter complaints, Rs 100 in each case of default if the meters are not checked within 7 days of the receipt of the complaint. Rs 100 each if creeping or struck meters are not replaced within 30 days. Rs 200 each if burnt meters are not replaced within 7 days.

The draft regulations stipulate that the licensee shall register every complaint of a consumer regarding failure of power supply, quality of power supply, meters and payment of bills and intimate the complaint number to the consumer.

All payments of compensation shall be made by way of adjustment against existing, current or future bills for supply of electricity.

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