GESCOM Helplines: How to File an Electricity Complaint to Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Ltd?

Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Ltd (GESCOM) is an electricity distribution company. GESCOM facilitate the distribution and retail supply of electricity, primarily in the northern region of the state, encompassing six districts: Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgiri, Raichur, Koppal, and Ballari.

Experiencing issues with GESCOM’s electricity services? You can complain to customer support via the toll-free helpline number, email, or by lodging a complaint online to GESCOM.

Please note: In cases of consumer rights violations by the GESCOM Electricity Board, you may complain with the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), which is the national consumer protection authority under the Department of Consumer Affairs, or with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).

Level 1: File a Complaint to Customer Care, GESCOM Electricity Board

To report issues such as power outages, billing discrepancies, fuse or transformer malfunctions, or any other electricity service-related concerns, you can use these communication channels and the customer care hotline provided by Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company.

• GESCOM Complaint Number: 1912, 1902, 18004258585
• Control Room: +919448499986
• WhatsApp Number: +919480847593
• Send an SMS (Type ‘GESCOM‘ to send SMS): 58888, 57575, 56561
• Email: gescomofficial@gmail.com, compliants@gescom.in
• Complain online to GESCOM: file a complaint
• Contact Details: Contact GESCOM Officials of Zonal/Divisions

When submitting your complaints, ensure to include the following details:

• GESCOM Customer ID
• Nature of Complaint
• Location of the Issue (if applicable)
• A comprehensive description along with any pertinent supporting documents, such as copies of bills for billing disputes, photographs, or other relevant materials.

For bill adjustments (rebate or correction), new connection requests, or access to online services, please visit the GESCOM consumer portal.

For contact details of designated engineers or officials at your local circle, division, and sub-station offices, including subdivisions, please refer to the officials’ contact page on the GESCOM website.

If your previous complaints have not been resolved within the specified timeframe, escalate the matter to the Public Grievance Redressal Cell (PGRC) at your nearest divisional office.

Note: If the issue remains unresolved, further escalate the matter by lodging a complaint with the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) of GESCOM at the Zonal offices.

Level 2: Lodge a Grievance to CGRF Forum, GESCOM

If your concerns submitted previously to local divisions, substations, or the Public Grievance Redressal Cell (PGRC) of GESCOM are not addressed within 30 days, you can escalate your complaint to the next level by approaching the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF). To do this, file a grievance with the regional CGRF office.

Your complaint should be lodged within three months from either the date of the final resolution or after the resolution deadline has passed.

Required details to submit a grievance to CGRF for GESCOM:

• Grievance Form: File your complaint using the official form available for download from GESCOM’s website, or simply write it on plain paper.
• Reference Number: Provide the reference or docket number from your initial complaint to GESCOM to help in tracking your case and referring to earlier interactions.
• Personal Information: Include your complete name, connection number, and contact information such as telephone number, email, and postal address.
• Nature of Complaint: Describe the problem you are experiencing with GESCOM services in detail. Specify the resolution or compensation you are seeking clearly.
• Supporting Documents: Attach any pertinent documents, including responses received from GESCOM previously. For billing issues, include copies of relevant past electricity bills, as these documents are essential for substantiating your claim.
• Declaration Form: Fill out and sign a declaration form confirming the truthfulness and accuracy of your complaint, which enhances the credibility of your grievance.

Procedure

The process for filing a grievance with CGRF Forum:

1. Submitting Grievances: You can present your grievance through various methods including in person, by mail, email, or fax. Write a complaint letter or form for submission. Additionally, GESCOM provides specific Complaint Receiving Centers at circle offices where grievances can be dropped off.
   • Download Grievance Form
2. Grievance Form Availability: The necessary forms for filing a grievance can be downloaded from the official GESCOM website.
3. Grievance Handling Procedure: Once received, your grievance will be assessed and categorized based on its urgency and nature, such as issues with service disruptions, connection faults, metering concerns, or billing disputes. The Forum will forward a copy of your grievance to GESCOM for their input and might request additional documents from both parties involved.
4. Hearing and Resolution: The Forum may decide to hold a hearing if deemed necessary. After a thorough review of the grievance, the Forum will issue an order to GESCOM, directing them to address the issue. This may include corrective actions or financial reimbursements with interest for any overcharges.

Resolution Timelines:

For urgent issues like service interruptions, connection faults, or disconnections, the resolution typically comes within 30 days of filing the grievance. For less critical matters, the CGRF will try to resolve the issue and issue orders within 60 days.

Contact Details

Here are the official contact details for the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum at the zonal/circle offices of GESCOM, where you can escalate your complaints to the Forum.

Please note: If you are dissatisfied with the resolution provided by the CGRF, you have the option to file an appeal with the Electricity Ombudsman. This must be done within 30 days following the issuance of the Forum’s order, or after the deadline for the Forum to provide a resolution has passed.

Level 3: Appeal to Electricity Ombudsman, Karnataka

If you are dissatisfied with the resolution provided by the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum of GESCOM or if your grievance has not been resolved within 30 days, you should take your complaint to the Electricity Ombudsman (EO) in Karnataka.

The Electricity Ombudsman serves as an independent quasi-judicial body that adjudicates disputes between consumers and GESCOM.

It’s important to note: You must lodge your complaint with the Electricity Ombudsman within 30 days following the final decision from GESCOM’s CGRF.

• File a Complaint to the Electricity Ombudsman, Karnataka

Note: Filing is free, and you do not need legal representation. For assistance, the Consumer Advocacy Cell of KERC is available to help.

If the decision by the Ombudsman is still not satisfactory, you can request for a review from the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). Additionally, if required, you can escalate the matter to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL).

If these options do not resolve the issue, you can approach the High Court of Karnataka.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I file a complaint with GESCOM?
   You can file a complaint with GESCOM through various channels including the toll-free customer helpline numbers (1912, 1902, 18004258585), by email (gescomofficial@gmail.com, complaints@gescom.in), or online through their website. You can also use WhatsApp (+919480847593) or call the control room (+919448499986).
2. What details are required when submitting a complaint to GESCOM?
   When submitting a complaint, you should include your GESCOM Customer ID, the nature of the complaint, the location of the issue (if applicable), and a comprehensive description along with any supporting documents like copies of bills for billing disputes, photographs, or other relevant materials.
3. Where can I find the Grievance Form to file a complaint with the CGRF of GESCOM?
   The Grievance Form can be downloaded from the official GESCOM website or you can write your complaint on plain paper if you do not have access to the form.
4. What should I do if my complaint to GESCOM is not resolved within the specified timeframe?
   If your complaint is not resolved within the specified timeframe, you should escalate the issue to the Public Grievance Redressal Cell (PGRC) at your nearest divisional office, and if still unresolved, further escalate by lodging a complaint with the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) of GESCOM at the zonal offices.
5. What are the next steps if the resolution from CGRF is unsatisfactory?
   If the resolution provided by CGRF is unsatisfactory, you can file an appeal with the Electricity Ombudsman of Karnataka within 30 days following the issuance of the Forum’s order, or after the deadline for the Forum to provide a resolution has passed.
6. What can I do if I am still not satisfied after the Electricity Ombudsman’s decision?
   If the decision by the Ombudsman is still not satisfactory, you can request a review from the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). Additionally, if required, you can escalate the matter to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). If these options do not resolve the issue, you have the legal option to approach the High Court of Karnataka.

Reference

• About Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited (GESCOM) (karnataka.gov.in)