Sixty-one-year old P. Murugesan, a farmer from Kuravankulam near Alanganallur, had paid Rs. 1.14 lakh to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) more than a year ago for getting a transformer erected on his five-acre farmland.
“The officials promised to erect it within three months of payment, but nothing has been done yet. I bought motor and other electrical equipment for Rs. 75,000 and they are lying idle,” he told the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) here on Friday. He was assured of immediate action.
For complaints related to Tangedco, consumers can approach the monthly grievance redressal meetings at each of the four divisional offices in the district, the online grievance redressal system and quarterly meetings held by the forum. From power supply-related grievances, ownership disputes to meter faults, Tangedco receives complaints from industrialists, farmers and domestic consumers.
“The consumers can approach the Assistant Engineers and if their grievances are not redressed, they can attend the monthly grievance meetings. If they are still not satisfied with the action, they can approach the forum,” explained S. Eswara Subramanian, Superintending Engineer of Tangedco.
“Most of the complaints are resolved by the Assistant Engineers the reason why not many consumers approach the forum or the monthly grievance meetings,” he added.
The CGRF was formulated by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) in 2004 and functions as a quasi-judicial body.
On Friday, around 15 consumers, mostly farmers, were present at the forum which is headed by the Superintending Engineer. An advocate, consumer activist and Tangedco officials were present.
According to officials, almost all the cases were settled on the spot. The petitioners have the option of appealing to the ombudsman of the TNERC.
This year, the election code of conduct imposed restrictions on conducting monthly grievance meetings from March. The meetings resumed this month, officials said.
Online submissionConsumers can also submit their complaints online at the Consumer Complaint Monitoring System. The system, introduced in October last year, has seen registration and settlement of 160 complaints so far. This mechanism is utilised the most by consumers who make online payment of power bill, according to officials.
