Consumers have the right to a minimum standard of service for supply of electricity and if a distribution company resorts to wilful load shedding then consumers can claim compensation.
This is as per the Electricity (Rights of Consumer) Rules, 2020 which mandates that there shall be no gratuitous or willful load shedding by Electricity Distribution Companies.
According to the Power Ministry, 24×7 power supply is a right of the consumers and they have the right to claim compensation from the distribution company.
Meghalaya continues to bear the brunt of load shedding for years now, which has been attributed to inadequate water during the lean season as well as power swapping.
Heavy power cuts have hit the poor and lower middle class the hardest of all as they can ill afford backup batteries. Small business owners have also been shattered by the power cuts, which are some of the worst that the state has experienced in the last decade.
During a review meeting with power regulators from the Central, State and Joint Electricity Regulatory Commissions held this month, Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy R.K. Singh stressed that the rules must be implemented.
He said that state power regulators must ensure consumers are compensated by distribution companies (discoms) for gratuitous load shedding.