The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) regulates the electricity sector in Gujarat under the Electricity Act, 2003. GERC gives licenses to the Discoms, Supply, and Electricity Generation companies in the state. The Commission also ensures the establishment of the Electricity Ombudsman of Gujarat and the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums in each Discoms, to address the issues relating to consumers as well as the electricity supply industry.
The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has issued licenses to these Discoms based on the recommendations of the Government of Gujarat:
- Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL)
- Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited (MGVCL)
- Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL)
- Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL)
- Torrent Power Limited (TPL)
If your lodged complaints to the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) of power distribution companies (Discoms) are not resolved within 45 days or you are dissatisfied with the final order, then file a complaint or appeal against the DGVCL, MGVCL, UGVCL, PGVCL, or TPL to the Electricity Ombudsman, Gujarat.
Electricity Ombudsman, Gujarat (GERC)
The Electricity Ombudsman (EO) Office is constituted under the GERC (Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum and Ombudsman) Regulations, 2019 by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission to hear the consumer cases or complaints that are not satisfactory resolved by the Licensees/Discoms.
The Ombudsman Offices are in Ahmedabad and Rajkot.
So, file an appeal/representation with the EO against your distributor/Discom within 30 days of receiving the final order or expiry of the given resolution period (45 days) to CGRF Forum.
File an Appeal
You can file an appeal to the Ombudsman by submitting a representation letter or a written complaint application. You may demand relief or compensation for the monetary loss (including billing disputes) from the respective Electricity Board/Discom.
Need more help regarding any applicable law? Communicate with the Consumer Advocacy Cell of the GERC Commission for free legal advice. This is a free service for the consumers/ complainants.
To file an appeal or petition, follow the below instructions and download the essential forms.
Required Details
To file a petition with the Electricity Ombudsman, consumers need to provide the following:
- Download: Petition Form (English)
- Representation in Writing (English or Gujarati), duly signed by the complainant, including the name and address.
- Supporting Affidavit
- Payment Proof (if applicable)
- Documents: Attach true copies of the Forum’s order and the original complaint made before the Forum, certified as true copies.
You have to submit the representation within 30 days from the date of the Forum’s order.
The Case Hearing Fee & Resolution Period:
| Petition Fee | No Charges |
| Resolution Period | 45 days (may extend with the nature of the case) |
| Acknowledgment receipt | Within 3 days (Immediately, if directly submitted in the office) |
| Hearing Fees | As prescribed by the Ombudsman |
Please note: The matter should not be pending before any other forum, court, tribunal, arbitrator or authority. The representation should not fall under sections 126, 127, 135 to 139, 152, and 161 of the Electricity Act.
Procedure:
Follow the instructions to file a petition:
- Download representation form:
- Prepare a written representation with your name and address, and sign it.
- Attach an affidavit to support your representation, a true copy of the order of the forum and the original complaint that you made before the forum. Make sure the enclosed documents are certified copies of the original documents.
- Submit a copy of your representation form to the office of the ombudsman and to all the respondents.
- If the order of the forum requires you to pay any amount, deposit one-third of such amount and attach the proofs with your representation.
- Submit your representation within 30 days from the date of the order of the forum.
- Finally, submit the representation form by:
- Send by post or visit the office
- Send an email with attached documents (must send or submit the physical form within a week)
- After successful submission, take the acknowledgement receipt. Visit “Track Status” to know the case status.
Contact Electricity Ombudsman
Official communication details of the Electricity Ombudsman of Gujarat to send a representation/appeal form.
1. Electricity Ombudsman Office, Ahmedabad:
Jurisdiction: MGVCL, UGVCL, DGVCL, and TPL
| Designation | Electricity Ombudsman, Gujarat |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | +917926302689 |
| Online | Click to Contact (gercin.org) |
| eleombahm@gercin.org, so.ombudsman@gercin.org | |
| Address | Electricity Ombudsman (Ahmedabad), Barrack No. 3, Polytechnic, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad- 380015. |
2. Electricity Ombudsman Office, Rajkot:
Jurisdiction: PGVCL
| Designation | Electricity Ombudsman, Gujarat |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | +912812994125 |
| Online | Click to Contact (gercin.org) |
| eleombrjt@gercin.org | |
| Address | Electricity Ombudsman (Rajkot), “Jilla Seva Sadan-3″, 3rd Floor, Block No.-1, Government Press Road, Rajkot- 360001. |
Note – Are you dissatisfied with the final decision of the Ombudsman of Gujarat? You may take advice from a legal expert to represent your case in the Gujarat High Court.
The business or industries can approach the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission. Further, they can approach the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL)
Finally, companies can take legal action by appealing before the judicial bodies (Session, High Court of Gujarat, or Supreme Court of India).
Reference
- About Ombudsman – Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (gercin.org)
- gerc-regulation2019.pdf (gercin.org)
