New Delhi: The government has introduced amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, aimed at simplifying and expediting the process for obtaining new electricity connections and installing rooftop solar systems, Union minister for power and new & renewable energy R. K. Singh said.
These changes are designed to bolster consumer rights and promote the adoption of renewable energy, aligning with India’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.
According to the minister, the amendments will facilitate easier and faster installation of rooftop solar systems by exempting systems up to 10 kW from the requirement of a technical feasibility study and reducing the timeline for systems above 10 kW from twenty days to fifteen days.
The distribution companies are now tasked with the system strengthening for rooftop solar PV systems up to 5 kW at their own cost, and the timeline for commissioning these systems has been halved from thirty days to fifteen days.
The minister further stated that consumers can now avail separate electricity connections for Electric Vehicles (EVs), supporting the country’s move towards sustainable transport. The amendments also streamline the process for new electricity connections, reducing the waiting period from seven days to three days in metropolitan areas, fifteen days to seven days in municipal areas, and thirty days to fifteen days in rural areas, with an exception for rural hilly terrains where it remains thirty days.
Additionally, the amendments introduce more choice and transparency for consumers in residential colonies and flats, allowing them to choose between individual connections or a single-point connection for the entire premises. This choice is to be made through a transparent ballot conducted by the distribution company, ensuring parity in tariffs and separate metering, billing, and collection for individual electricity consumption, backup power, and common areas.
In cases of complaints about meter readings, distribution licensees are now required to install a check meter within five days to verify electricity consumption for a minimum period of three months, aiming to ensure accuracy in billing and enhance consumer trust.
Singh emphasized that the government prioritizes consumer interests, which has led to the issuance of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules in December 2020, setting standards for services provided by electricity distribution companies across India. The minister stated that the latest amendments would further empower consumers, supporting renewable energy generation and improving service standards in the electricity distribution sector.
