ECC Cuddalore conducted outreach meetings in Meethikudi on August 29, 2018, and Katumannarkudi on September 12, 2018. The purpose of the meetings was to promote and create awareness about the ECC and providing support with consumer complaints. The outreach meeting was organized by Mr.Ambikapathi, ECC Coordinator, and Mr. Balasubramaniam, ECC Advisor. Mr.Ambikapathi explained the objective of the outreach meeting, and described the functions and role of the ECC to the participants.

Mr.Balasubramaniam described the importance of conducting outreach meetings at the village level. He further clarified the questions raised by the participants on the security deposit collected by TANGEDCO. The security deposit charges are calculated based on units consumed in a year.  He also explained the advantages of using energy-efficient products like LED bulbs and tube lights, which will reduce the units consumed.

Mr. Selvaraj, Chairman, Federation of Consumer Organisation Tamilnadu and Pondicherry, concluded the session with the vote of thanks.

ECC Salem conducted outreach meetings at Sankar Nagar on August 27, 2018, Kondalampati on September 9, 2018, and Somampatti on October 15, 2018. The objective of the meetings was to create awareness about ECC, educate consumers about electricity rights and energy governance. The meeting was organized by Mr.Prabhakar, ECC Coordinator and Mr.Muthuswamy, ECC Advisor.

(ECC Salem, distribution of ECC posters)

Mr.G.N.Bharath Ram, Researcher, CAG, briefed the participants about the objectives and functions of ECC, also explained the roles of the ECC coordinator and ECC Advisor in resolving consumer complaints. He described in detail the categories of complaints registered. ECC also helps the complainants in drafting letters to the TANGEDCO along with submission of appropriate documents. In addition to it, ECC Salem also files a complaint with the concerned official along with a copy of the complainant's letter.

Mr.Muthusamy, ECC Advisor,  clarified all the questions raised by the participants on power quality for example low voltage and frequent power interruption. He asked the consumers to submit complaint letters to the concerned officials instead of filing complaints to the lower level field staff such as linesmen etc. He further explained the importance of energy conservation and also the advantages of using LED  bulbs and tube lights, which will create an impact on the consumption pattern.

Mr. Bhoopathy, President, Salem Consumer Voice, concluded the sessions with a vote of thanks.

ECC Tirunelveli conducted outreach meetings in Tirunelveli district at Tharuvai (August 27, 2018), Palayamkottai (September  9, 2018), and Vilagam (October 9, 2018). The objective of the meetings was to educate consumers on the importance of electricity rules and regulations and create awareness about ECC. The meeting was organized by Mr.Muthusamy, ECC Coordinator and Mr.Shanmugam, ECC Advisor.

Mr.G.Venkatachalam, President, Tirunelveli District Consumer Rights Protection Sangam, explained the objectives of conducting the outreach meeting in the different villages. He highlighted the role of ECC Tirunelveli in maintaining a balanced relationship between consumers and service providers. He also advised the consumers to directly file a complaint to the TNEB officials instead of field staff so as to avoid unnecessary hassles.

Mr.G.N.Bharath Ram, Researcher, CAG, explained the objectives and functions of ECC to the participants. He explained the different EB forms, the procedure for applying new service connections, meter reading, and other charges. He stressed that the ECC conducts the outreach meeting in different areas in Tirunelveli and that its advisory services on electricity-related issues are free. ECC Advisor will clarify the doubts and help the consumer to draft the complaint letter.

Mr. Shanmugam, ECC Advisor, Tirunelveli, explained the type of complaints registered to ECCs with the examples and also encouraged the consumers to contact them at any time. He also clarified the questions raised by consumers e.g. change of damaged electricity pole, meter charges etc. He further informed the participants about the energy- efficient products like LED bulbs & tube lights which are sold at TANGEDCO offices at subsidised price.

Mr. Muthusamy, ECC Volunteer, Tirunelveli, concluded the sessions with a vote of thanks.

ECC Tiruvallur, conducted outreach meetings at Mannurpet on August 29, 2018, Arambakkam on September 15, 2018, and Varadharajapuram on October 29, 2018, in Tiruvallur District. The purpose of the meetings was to create awareness about ECC and educate the consumer on electricity rights and energy efficiency. The meetings were organized by Mr. M. Dhanraj, ECC Coordinator, and Mr. Nagarajan, ECC Volunteer.

Mr. M. Selvaraj explained the functions of the ECC and objective of conducting the outreach meeting in different parts of Tiruvallur. He detailed the type of complaints registered with the ECC and also the procedure for registering complaints. In addition to this, ECC Tiruvallur has raised electricity complaints such as change of electricity pole, low sagging wires during the TANGEDCO Grievance Day meeting for necessary action.    

Mr. Ashokan, ECC Advisor, Tiruvallur, described the ECC’s strong relationship with TANGEDCO officials in solving the electricity complaints. Further, he clarified the questions raised by the participants on meter-related issues and voltage fluctuations. He also advised the participants to make use of energy-efficient products such as LED bulbs and tube lights which are sold at the reduced prices in TANGEDCO offices.

Mr. Nagarajan, ECC Volunteer, Tiruvallur, concluded the sessions with the vote of thanks.    

Electricity Consumer Cell Cuddalore conducted outreach meetings at Sairam ITI, Shreemushnam on January 29th, 2019. The purpose of the meeting was to promote the ECC and create awareness among consumers. The outreach meeting was organized by Mr.M. Selvaraj, Chairman, Federation of Consumer Organisations of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry (FEDCOT), and Mr.Ambikapathi, ECC Coordinator.

Mr.G.N.Bharath Ram, Researcher, CAG, explained the objectives, functions, and role of the ECCs. ECC Cuddalore gives free advisory services on the electricity-related issues and educates consumers on renewable energy and energy efficiency through the outreach meetings and capacity building programmes.

Mr.Jeyakumar, CAG, presented on the types of renewable energy and explained the advantages of solar energy. He further explained the process of rooftop solar installation and the advantages of having net metering facility. He described in detail about energy conservation and energy saving at the household levels; such as shifting to LED bulbs, LED tube lights from normal bulbs and tube lights, placement of home appliances.  

Mr.Selvaraj, Chairman, FEDCOT, concluded the session with the vote of thanks.

ECC Salem conducted outreach meetings at Mullai Nagar on November 19, 2018, Panangadu on December 24, 2018, and Thirumanur on January 19, 2019, in the Salem district. The objective of the meetings was to describe the functions of ECC and educate consumers about electricity rights, safety, and governance. Both domestic and commercial consumers attended the outreach meeting.

Mr.Muthusamy, ECC Advisor, Salem, advised the consumers to submit petitions to the relevant TANGEDCO officials instead of contacting the field staff in order to avoid the delay in resolving the complaints. He also clarified questions raised by the participants on the functions of a digital meter, redressal of power cut complaints by TANGEDCO.  He further explained the importance of energy efficiency and conservation at household levels.

Mr.Jeyakumar, Researcher, CAG, presented on the types of renewable energy and explained the advantages of solar energy. He further explained the process of rooftop solar installation and the advantages of having a net metering facility. He also provided examples of energy saving methods such as shifting from normal bulbs and tube lights to LED bulbs and LED tube lights and correct placement of home appliances.

Mr. Bhoopathy, President, Salem Consumer Voice, concluded the sessions with a vote of thanks.

ECC Tiruvannamalai conducted outreach meetings in  Tiruvannamalai district at Usambadi (August 28th, 2018), Kilsirupakkam (September 11th, 2018) and  Periyakolapadi (October 12th, 2018). The objective of the meetings were to educate consumers on electricity rights, energy efficiency, and to create awareness about ECC. The meeting was organized by Mr. Rama Perumal, Secretary, SINAM, Mr. Ashokan (ECC coordinator), Mr. Anandan (ECC Advisor).

Mr.G.N. Bharath Ram, Researcher, CAG explained the objectives and functions of ECC Tiruvannamalai in detail. He stated that ECC Tiruvannamalai gives free advisories on electricity-related issues and helps the complainants in drafting the complaint letters. He mentioned that ECC Tiruvannamalai also registers complaints with the TANGEDCO office and takes steps to resolve the same.

Mr. Anandan, ECC Advisor, Tiruvannamalai, explained that the complaints registered to the ECC are solved by sending a letter to the concerned official. He described the procedure for registering electricity complaints in the  ECC to the participants. He advised the participants to register a complaint at the TANGEDCO office in a written format rather filing only verbal complaints. He further shared energy-saving tips to be used at the household level, for eg. shifting to LED bulbs and tube lights.

Mr.Ashokan, ECC Coordinator, Tiruvannamalai, concluded the sessions with a vote of thanks.

ECC Tirunelveli conducted outreach meetings at Panchayat Union Primary School, Munnirpalam on November 21, 2018, and Branch Library Campus, Meenakshipuram on December 19, 2018, of Tirunelveli District. The objective of the meeting was to educate consumers on energy governance and to create awareness about ECC. The meeting was organised by Mr.Muthusamy (ECC Coordinator) and Mr. S.Shanmugam(ECC Advisor).

Mr. Venkatachalam, President, (TMNUPS), explained the working of ECC Tirunelveli and highlighted its role in maintaining a balance between consumers and TANGEDCO. He mentioned that ECC Tirunelveli gives free advisory services to the public on electricity-related issues. Consumers may contact the ECC at any time.

Mr. Shanmugam, ECC Advisor, Tirunelveli, explained the type of complaints registered with ECC with examples. He also clarified questions raised by consumers on electricity complaints and the different kinds of problem-solving mechanisms. He further informed the participants about energy efficient products like LED bulbs, LED Tube lights which are more efficient compared to the incandescent bulbs and CFL bulbs.

Mr. Muthusamy, ECC Volunteer, Tirunelveli, concluded the session with a vote of thanks.

ECC Tiruvallur conducted outreach meetings at Minjur on November 20, 2018, Bangarpet on December 29, 2018, and January on 22,2019 of Tiruvallur District. The purpose of the meeting was to create awareness about ECC and to educate consumers on energy efficiency and conservation. The meeting was organized by Mr.M. Dhanraj, ECC Coordinator, Mr.Nagarajan, ECC Volunteer and Mr.V.Ashokan, ECC Advisor.

Mr. Ashokan, ECC Advisor, Tiruvallur, spoke about the type of complaints registered with the ECC and also the procedure for registering the complaints. He also described the follow-up process with TANGEDCO officials in solving electricity complaints. He also informed the participants about the facility to register electricity complaints through WhatsApp.

Mr.Jeyakumar, CAG, shared tips on energy efficiency tips with respect to use of home appliances. He also explained the importance of placing the appliances correctly, space requirements for the appliances which will have an impact on energy consumption. He further explained the benefits of installing rooftop solar panels for domestic and commercial consumers.

Mr. Nagarajan, ECC Volunteer, Tiruvallur, concluded both the sessions with a vote of thanks.