CAG in association with the Consumer Rights, Education and Awareness Trust (CREAT) is working on a project “Accelerating Clean Energy Transition By Improving Stakeholder Participation For Electricity Governance In India” in Karnataka. There are five Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMS] in Karnataka. To reach out to these five ESCOMS, a core group consisting of representatives from consumer groups, civil society organizations and electricity experts in districts was formed. All the activities are being organized in collaboration with these core groups.
CREAT will set up 5 Local Electricity Forum in Karnataka. A local electricity forum is a platform where stakeholders in a specific region or community come together to discuss issues, concerns, and ideas related to the electricity sector. These forums aim to create dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among various stakeholders, including consumers, civil society organisations. Further, CREAT has set up a Core Group composed of CSOs and electricity experts to support the electricity initiative local electricity forums in the state of Karnataka.
Local electricity forum meeting at Raichur:
The first Meeting was held at Raichur on 8th June 2024. Raichur district is under the jurisdiction of Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company [GESCOM]. This was organized by Shri. Vijaykumar, who is a member of the Core Group.
Participants at the Raichur forum
The meeting started with a brief introduction by Shri.Vijaykumar about the electricity sector in Karnataka and the role and functions of the Regulatory Commission. Earlier the meeting was inaugurated by Shri. Raghavendra, Assistant Executive Engineer, GESCOM. He explained the various schemes taken up by the GESCOM, particularly the incentives for renewable energy.
Forum members at the meeting
Shri. Deepak Gala, former member of the KERC Advisory Committee was the main resource person. He explained the various provisions of the Electricity Act and the issues relating to Standards of Performance, CGRF and the Ombudsman scheme.
There was an open house discussion in which the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) heard some of the grievances of the participants. Most of the grievances were related to billing, power interruptions and power cut without advance notice. The AEE noted these grievances and promised to look into them. The meeting was attended by more than 80 participants.
Local Electricity Meeting at Chintamani, Chikballapur:
The second meeting was held at Chintamani in Chikballapur district on 26th June 2024. This district is under the jurisdiction of Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company [BESCOM]. The meeting was presided over by Shri. Srinivas, AEE, Chintamani [Rural division].
Participants at the Chintamani forum
Shri. Y.G.Muralidharan was the main speaker. In his address, Shri.Muralidharan explained the changing phase of electricity governance and regulation in Karnataka and India. He explained the emergence of regulatory commissions and how it has brought in transparency in the working of the sector. Later he explained the provisions of the Electricity Act 2003 with special reference to tariff setting, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), consumer grievances and public participation. He also explained the concept of electricity ombudsman.
Shri. Manjunath Reddy, a member of the Core Group highlighted the need for renewable energy (RE) and he said that consumers should demand for Renewable Energy. He said consumers should equip themselves about electricity issues and take part in the public hearings and demand for RE.
Participant expressing his view in the meeting
Shri. Srinivas, AEE, took up some complaints from the participants. There were complaints about non- issue of bills, unattended complaints about meters etc. One participant said that many of the electricity poles are in dangerous positions and that officials were not responding to his complaints. The AEE promised to visit the spot and do the needful. The meeting was attended by 25-30 members.