The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (Tangedco) to investigate the reasons for the delay in replacing defective meters and non-effecting of service connections on time in south and central circles of Chennai and submit a report to it within 60 days.
In separate suo motto orders, the commission has issued the directions in the wake of complaints against Tangedco that consumers were subjected to lot of hardships in replacement of defective meters and non-effecting of service connections on time.
Under section 43 of the Electricity act, 2003, the service connection should be effected within a time limit of one month.
Section 11 of the distribution standards of performance regulation makes it mandatory for the licensee (Tangedco) to replace the defective meters within 30 days.
“Although the Commission is frequently calling upon Tangedco to comply the statutory provisions and fulfil the consumers’ requirement as per the law, complaints from consumers are only increasing day by day.
The Commission is unable to understand what actually deters the officials from taking timely action,” the commission said.
In case of delay in replacing defective meters, the TNERC directed the director (Tariff) to investigate the affairs of South and Central Circles (Distribution) Chennai of Tangedco.
The commission also directed the director (engineering) to investigate the affairs of South and Central Circles (Distribution) Chennai of Tangedco with regard to delay in effecting new service connections.
The commission asked Tangedco officials in the two circles to render all assistance to the investigating authority and produce all such books of account registers and other documents in their custody or power and to furnish statement of information relating to the affairs of Tangedco.