Consumer Activists protest against Power companies

Here is the full text of a Press Release from CERS:
ELECTRICITY COMPANIES ENDANGERING LIVES OF CONSUMERS

The Ahmedabad based Consumer Education and Research Society has filed a petition before Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission against State owned four Distribution Companies and Chief Electrical Inspector for violation of Electricity Rule-33 of Indian Electricity Rules-1956 which mandates provision of separate earth terminals atthe premises of residential and commercial consumers.

The existing practice of providing earth terminal from solidly grounded neutral at transformer end is out dated and does not fulfill provision of Electricity Rule - 33. These DISCOMS continue to follow old and obsolete 'TT' system of earthing, that too not fully wherein case of earth fault MCB/fuse at consumers' premises remains as show piece and will not cut of power supply of consumer.

The new and safe 'TNCS' or 'TNS' systems of earthing provides better safety to consumers' lives and property against electric shock/fire/voltage related damages. The private Distribution Companies in Gujarat follow this new system of earthing since ages. .pa

During last hearing on 30th August 2007 before Hon'ble Commission the monitoring agency i.e. office of Chief Electrical Inspectorate and four Discoms of Gujarat submitted that the cost of providing separate earth terminals will cost Rs.300/- to each consumer putting a burden of Rs.275 crores on four DISCOMS.

CERS strongly objected to this proposal and representated before GERC that these DISCOMS have already collected the amount while providing new connections to consumers under the head of Service Line Charges but failed to provide separate earth terminals to consumers' premises violating Rule-33. Therefore the consumers are not liable to pay any amount and the cost has to be borne by DISCOMS.

The Hon'ble Commission reprimanded and directed CEI and all DISCOMS to study the system prevailing at Torrent Power and resolve this issue by implementing Rule 33 of IER-1956 and submit Action Taken Report to GERC before 15th October 2007.

CERS was representated by Shri K K Bajaj (Hon Director) and Shri V.J.Vachharajani (Consultant).