Capacity Building of Electricity Consumers in Rajasthan (CBEC)

About Project

The Project ‘Capacity Building of Electricity Consumers in Rajasthan (CBEC)’ is being executed by CUTS International and Bask Research Foundation with cardinal focus to increase regulatory participation of electricity consumers in Rajasthan. The project is being supported by Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation.

Goals and Objectives of the project:

Facilitate mutually beneficial relationships between consumers, consumer organization and electricity distribution companies.
Enhance the capacity of consumers on existing regulatory frameworks and procedure of grievance redressal.
Empower consumers and consumer organization by providing them platforms to voice their issues, concerns and opinion
Build consumer capacity on key safety and sustainability subjects such as energy efficiency, decentralized renewable energy, energy conservation and protection systems.

Strategy:

What’s New

Status of Electricity Services: Key Insights from Netaval Garh Pachhli Feeder, Chittorgarh

Status of Electricity Services: Key Insights from Soorwal City Feeder, Sawai Madhopur

Delivery of Services to Electricity Consumers and Consumer Satisfaction: Key Insights from Bhagora Feeder, Dholpur

Project Background

Access to reliable and quality electricity is key for inclusive and equitable development of the country. While the conditions have in general improved over the last two decade because of focused efforts of the Government(s), investments in public sector and implementation of regulatory frameworks and policies mandating access to reliable and quality power to consumers. But their remains a significant divide between quality of power supplied to certain effluent areas / cities / districts vs rural villages and smaller towns. While Electricity Act 2003, CERC and SERCs are in place to ensure rights of consumers and guard their interests, such institutions are either weakened or underutilized in wake of poor participation by consumers.
Participation of consumers and consumers in regulatory affairs is stifled because of many reasons, but some of key addressable issues are mentioned below.

Lack of awareness among consumers and consumer organisations about grievance redressal mechanisms and regulatory engagement.
Lack of awareness about consumer rights and duties of electricity distribution companies.
Lack of coordinated efforts between consumers and consumer organisation to raise key issues.
Inability to furnish evidence in support of issues with respect to quality of services.

Increasing consumer participation is imperative for ensuring highest quality of services at the last mile, transparency and accountability; and an opportunity for electricity distribution companies to gain from larger consumer base and better toplines. CUTS International along with Bask Research Foundation, have embarked on a multi-year initiative to improve ‘Regulatory Participation of Electricity Consumers in Rajasthan’ with support of Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation.

About Consumer Assistance Cell (CONASC)

CONASC Launch Report

“Targetted districts are marked in Yellow”

CUTS International and Bask Research Foundation have been incubating six Consumer Assistance Cells (CONASC) in four different districts of Rajasthan viz; Bikaner, Chittorgarh, Jodhpur and Sawai Madhopur in partnership with three consumer organizations. CONASC is a unique initiative designed to bridge the gap between electricity consumers and electricity distribution utilities. The cell is designed to improve the grievance redressal ecosystem for consumers, accountability of DISCOMs for standards of performance w.r.t last mile electricity services, and awareness of consumers regarding their rights and responsibilities.

Mandate of CONASC

Spread awareness about the role of CONASC and various channels for registering consumer complaints
Provide appropriate support to consumers for redressal of grievances.
Develop relationships with local stakeholders, including block and district administrative institutions, other CSOs and DISCOM officials.
Follow-up with DISCOM officials on legitimate consumer issues and liaison for resolution of same.
Promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.
Spread awareness about relevant initiatives undertaken by DISCOMs, SERCs and Government schemes.
Execute awareness campaigns for consumer rights and responsibilities.

Project Advisory Committee

A project advisory committee (PAC) has been formed to provide inputs to the team on project design and implementation strategy for the initiative.

Members of Project Advisory Committee

Geeta Gouri, Member (Economics), Competition Commission of India & Director (Tariffs), Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission
Y G Muralidharan, Former Consumer Advocate, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission
V P Raja, Former Chairman, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission
Gireesh Pradhan, Former Chairman, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission
A. K. Bohra, Former MD, Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited
Ashok Pendse, Consumer Advocate, Maharashtra
CUTS/BASK/SSEF representatives