ELECTRICITY (RIGHTS OF CONSUMERS) RULES – GOVERNANCE
News:
Government amends
Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules
What's
in the news?
●
The Government of India has approved
amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020.
Key
takeaways:
●
Issuing the amendments, the Union Minister for Power and New &
Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh stated that these amendments further
reduce the timeline for getting new electricity connections.
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These rules cover aspects such as billing,
complaints, compensation and timelines for new connections.
●
They also offer support for renewable
energy generation by prosumers.
●
The Power and New & Renewable Energy
Minister stated that the present amendments will further empower the consumers.
Major
Amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020:
1.
Facilitating Easier and Faster installation of Rooftop Solar Systems:
●
Exemption has been given for the
requirement of technical feasibility study, for systems up to a capacity of 10 kW.
●
For systems of capacity higher than 10 kW,
the timeline for completing the feasibility study has been reduced from twenty
days to fifteen days.
●
Further, in case the study is not
completed within the stipulated time, the approval will be deemed to have been
given.
●
Further, the timeline for the distribution
licensee to commission Rooftop Solar PV systems has been reduced from thirty
days to fifteen days.
2.
Separate Connections for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations:
●
Consumers can now obtain separate
electricity connections for charging their Electric Vehicles (EVs).
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This aligns with the country's goal of
reducing carbon emissions and reaching Net Zero by the year 2070.
3.
New Connections and Change in Existing Connections to be Obtained Faster:
●
The time period for obtaining a new electricity connection under the
Rules has been reduced from seven days
to three days in metropolitan areas.
●
It has been reduced from fifteen days to seven days in other municipal areas,
and from thirty days to fifteen days in
rural areas.
●
However, in rural areas with hilly
terrain, the time period for new connections or for modifications in existing
connections will remain thirty days.
4.
Additional Rights for Consumers in Residential Colonies and Flats:
●
Owners residing in co-operative group
housing societies, residential colonies, etc., will now have the option to choose from the distribution
licensee either individual connections for everyone or a single-point
connection for the whole premises.
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The exercise of the option will be based
on a transparent ballot to be conducted by the Distribution Company.
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Parity has also been brought in the tariff
charged to consumers who get electricity supplied through single-point
connection and to those who avail of individual connections.
5.
Mandatory Additional Meter in cases of Complaints:
●
In case of a complaint, the distribution
licensee is now required to install an additional meter within five days from
the date of receipt of the complaint.
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This additional meter will be used to
verify the consumption for a minimum period of three months, thus reassuring
consumers and ensuring accuracy in billing.