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Union Government for the first time lays down Rights to the Electricity Consumers through “Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020

Highlights

• Consumers to have the option to apply for new electricity connection and pay bills online Consumers to get electricity connection in prescribed timeline which is 7 days in Metro cities, 15 days in other cities and 30 days in rural areas.
• Rules to benefit about 30 crores existing and prospective consumers in the country These rules are important step towards furthering the ease of doing business across country.
• These rules shall empower the consumers of electricity .
  
• States and DISCOMs are being advised to provide wide publicity to these highly consumer friendly Rules of the Government.

Key areas are covered in the Electricity (Rights of consumers) Rules

• Rights of consumers and Obligations of Distribution licensees
• Release of new connection and modification in existing connection
• Metering arrangement
• Billing and Payment
• Disconnection and Reconnection
• Reliability of supply
• Consumer as Prosumer
• Standards of Performance of licensee
• Compensation Mechanism
• Call Centre for Consumer Services
• Grievance redressal mechanism

Source: PIB