Are you tired of dealing with power outages, billing errors, or unresponsive customer service from TANGEDCO? It’s time to take action! Learn how to file a formal complaint with Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO). If needed, escalate your issue to the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF), TNEB and the Electricity Ombudsman to get the resolution you deserve.
You can complain from any region to the respective zonal offices of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Tirunelveli, Vellore, and Erode among others.
TNEB Grievance Redressal Mechanism
The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board complaint system follows a specific hierarchy to ensure fair and efficient resolution of issues. Understanding this structure will help you to get faster resolution:
- TANGEDCO (Initial Complaint): Always begin by registering your complaint directly with TANGEDCO. This allows them the first opportunity to resolve your problem. Use the online portal, visit your local TANGEDCO office (sub-station/divisional office) in person, or call the customer care number and contact the TNEB helpline number (1912 or 0441912).
- Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF): If you’re unsatisfied with TANGEDCO’s response or the issue remains unresolved beyond a reasonable time, you can escalate your complaint to the CGRF of TANGEDCO at Divisional Offices. The CGRF is specifically designated to handle more complex consumer electricity complaints. You can file a complaint with the CGRF online or in person at the CGRF office (Division) in your electricity distribution circle.
- Electricity Ombudsman: The Electricity Ombudsman of Tamil Nadu serves as the highest level of appeal in the complaint redressal system. Approach the Ombudsman if the CGRF’s resolution is unsatisfactory. The Ombudsman can review decisions and provide binding resolutions to electricity-related disputes. You can appeal by submitting a written representation letter or form to the Electricity Ombudsman at the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC).
Level 1. Filing a Complaint with TANGEDCO
As the first step in resolving an electricity issue in Tamil Nadu, you must register your complaint directly with TANGEDCO. Here are the methods available:
TANGEDCO Helpline Number
- Dial the TANGEDCO helpline numbers: 1912 or 0441912.
- Call the TNEB complaint number: +919498794987
- Fuse Call Centers (Click Here)
- Send an email to cpro@tnebnet.org
Clearly explain your issue to the customer service representative. Provide your consumer number and other relevant details.
You can also contact your regional offices and sub-stations using the available contact details, visit the below links:
Online Electricity Complaint
To file an online electricity complaint, follow the steps:
- Visit the TNEB website “CCMS TANGEDCO” for public complaints.
- Enter your registered mobile number in the login section.
- Click “Send OTP”
- Verify your mobile number.
- Fill out the available complaint form
- Note down reference ID
- Use it to track status.
Always follow the online registration process as specified in the online complaint form of TANGEDCO, providing your consumer number, contact details, and a detailed description of your complaint.
In-Person – Write a Complaint
- Locate your nearest TANGEDCO office.
- Obtain a complaint form and fill it out with the necessary information.
- Submit the completed form to the designated officer.
You can also contact the sub-divisional and divisional offices by calling on the available official phone numbers on the company’s website.
Important Notes:
- Complaint Tracking: Note down the complaint reference number or acknowledgement for future follow-up. You can track the complaint on the official portal of the electricity board.
- Keep copies of any bills, receipts, or photos related to your complaint as supporting evidence.
- Be aware of the expected timeframe for TANGEDCO to address your complaint.
If your issue is not satisfactorily resolved by TANGEDCO within a reasonable period, you have the right to escalate your complaint to the next level – the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) of TNEB.
Level 2. Lodge a Grievance with the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF)
If you are dissatisfied with the resolution provided by TANGEDCO, or if your complaint remains unresolved after a reasonable time, you can escalate the issue to the CGRF.
The CGRF is a dedicated body established to handle consumer complaints related to electricity services that TANGEDCO cannot adequately address. The Superintending Engineer of your Electricity Distribution Circle chairs the Forum and includes two members nominated by the District Collector.
To register a grievance with the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) of TANGEDCO, follow these steps:
Methods of Filing with the CGRF:
Submit an Online Grievance
- Visit the CGRF portal “TANGEDCO Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (tnebltd.gov.in)”.
- Register your account (if you haven’t already).
- Submit your complaint online, providing all necessary information.
In-Person
- Write your grievance using the format provided in Annexure I.
- Download: Grievance Form (English)
- Visit the CGRF office within your electricity distribution circle.
- Obtain a complaint form (if not have a form) or write your complaint in a prescribed format.
- Attach supporting documents.
- Submit it to the Chairperson of the CGRF at the concerned SE office.
You’ll receive an acknowledgement within seven working days for manual submissions. Check the status of your petition online through the ‘Petition Status’ menu.
You may represent yourself or appoint a representative for the proceedings. The forum will pass an order within two months based on the complaint’s merits.
Remember, if you’re dissatisfied with the Order, you can appeal to the Electricity Ombudsman within 30 days from the date of the Order.
Contact Details of CGRF
1. Chennai North
| Circle | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Chennai EDC /North | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, 5A Block, 144 Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002 Phone No: +91 4428521833 Email: cgrfchnn@tnebnet.org |
| Chennai EDC /Central | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, MGR Salai, 110/33/11KV Valluvar Kottam SS Complex, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600034 Phone No: +91 4428224423 Email: cgrfchnc@tnebnet.org |
| Villupuram Distribution Region | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, 13-A Nethaji Road, Cuddalore 607 001 Phone No: +91 4142223793 Email: cgrfcud@tnebnet.org |
| Thiruvannamalai EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Vengikkal Post, Thiruvannamalai – 606 604 Phone No: +91 4175233122 Email: cgrftvm@tnebnet.org |
| Villupuram EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Old Power House Road, Villupuram 605602 Phone No: +91 4146240371 Email: cgrfvpm@tnebnet.org |
| Kallakurichi EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Old Power House Road, Villupuram 605602 Phone No: +91 4146240371 Email: sekri@tnebnet.org |
2. Coimbatore Region
| Circle | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Coimbatore EDC/Metro | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Tatabad, Coimbatore 641 012 Phone No: +91 4222481415 Email: cgrfcbem@tnebnet.org |
| Coimbatore EDC/North | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Tatabad, Coimbatore 641 012 Phone No: +91 4222495133 Email: cgrfcben@tnebnet.org |
| Coimbatore EDC/South | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Tatabad, Coimbatore 641 012 Phone No: +91 4222493250 Email: cgrfcbes@tnebnet.org |
| Nilgiris EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Aavin Building, Udagamandalam – 643 001 Phone No: +91 4232444382 Email: cgrfnilg@tnebnet.org |
| Udumalpet EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Eripalayam, Tiruppur Road, Udumalpet 642 126 Phone No: +91 4252224304 Email: cgrfudt@tnebnet.org |
| Tiruppur EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, 19-A, Jyothi Nagar, Perumal Nallur Road, Tiruppur-641 603 Phone No: +91 4212470153 Email: cgrfsetrpr@tnebnet.org |
3. Erode Region
| Circle | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Erode EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, 948, E.V.N. Road, Erode 638 009 Phone No: +91 4242217245 Email: cgrfed@tnebnet.org |
| Gobichettipalayam EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, 132, Cutchery Street, Gobi- 638 452 Phone No: +91 4285223701 Email: cgrfgobi@tnebnet.org |
| Mettur EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Mettur Dam – 636 401, Salem District. Phone No: +91 4298244177 Email: cgrfmtr@tnebnet.org |
| Salem EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, KN Colony, Udayapatti, Salem – 636 014 Phone No: +91 4272241310 Email: cgrfslm@tnebnet.org |
| Namakkal EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Sri Krishna Complex, 32/1, Karuppanan Street, Paramathy Road, Namakkal- 637 001 Phone No: +91 4286233333 Email: cgrfnmkl@tnebnet.org |
4. Madurai Region
| Circle | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Dindigul EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Meenakshi Nayakkan Patty Post, Dindigul – 624 002 Phone No: +91 4512460948 Email: cgrfdgl@tnebnet.org |
| Madurai EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, K.Pudur, Madurai 625 007. Phone No: +91 4522537754 Email: cgrfmdu@tnebnet.org |
| Madurai EDC/Metro | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, K.Pudur, Madurai 625 007. Phone No: +91 4522538159 Email: cgrfmdua@tnebnet.org |
| Ramanathapuram EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Rameswaram Road, Ramanadapuram – 623 501. Phone No: +91 4567230577 Email: cgrfrmd@tnebnet.org |
| Sivagangai EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Sivagangai – 623 562. Phone No: +91 4575241600 Email: cgrfsiva@tnebnet.org |
| Theni EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, NRT Nagar Main Road, Theni 625 531 Phone No: +91 4546253677 Email: cgrftheni@tnebnet.org |
5. Trichy Region
| Circle | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Karur EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, 3, Kovai Road, Karur 639 002. Phone No: +91 4324248778 Email: cgrfkrr@tnebnet.org |
| Nagapattinam EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, 36 Sattayappar East Street, Nagapattinam, 611 001 Phone No: +91 4365224878 Email: cgrfnpm@tnebnet.org |
| Pudukottai EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Post box No. 30, Near old Bus stand, 3074 East Main Road, Pudukottai 622 001 Phone No: +91 4322221853 Email: cgrfpdk@tnebnet.org |
| Thanjavur EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, No.1 Vallam Road, Thanjavur 613 007 Phone No: +91 4362230661 Email: cgrftnj@tnebnet.org |
| Trichy EDC/North | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Perambalure District Phone No: +91 4328276060 Email: cgrftryn@tnebnet.org |
| Trichy EDC/Metro | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Mannarpuram, Trichy 620 020. Phone No: +91 4312422216 Email: cgrftrym@tnebnet.org |
| Thiruvarur EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, No. 73-C, Durgalaya Road, Tiruvarur 610 001. Phone No: +91 4366244099 Email: setrvr@tnebnet.org |
6. Tirunelveli Region
| Circle | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Kanyakumari EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Parvathipuram, Nagercoil, – 629 003, Kanyakumari District. Phone No: +91 4652230160 Email: cgrfkk@tnebnet.org |
| Tirunelveli EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, Maharaja Nagar, Tirunelveli 627 011. Phone No: +91 4622531981 Email: cgrftin@tnebnet.org |
| Tuticorin EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, 131 & 132, Ettaiyapuram Road, Tuticorin – 628 001. Phone No: +91 4612324150 Email: cgrftuti@tnebnet.org |
| Virudhunagar EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO, 65/1 Ramamoorthy Road, Virudhunagar-626 001. Phone No: +91 4562244111 Email: cgrfvdr@tnebnet.org |
7. Vellore Region
| Circle | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Dharmapuri EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO (FORMERLY TNEB), Dharmapuri – 636 705 Phone No: +91 4342230737 Email: cgrfdpi@tnebnet.org |
| Krishnagiri EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO (FORMERLY TNEB), Dharmapuri – 636 705 Phone No: +91 4342230737 Email: sekgiri@tnebnet.org |
| Kanchipuram EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO (FORMERLY TNEB), Olimohamedpet, Kanchipuram-631 502 Phone No: +91 4427277508 Email: cgrfkcpm@tnebnet.org |
| Thirupathur EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO (FORMERLY TNEB), Balammal Colony, North Arcot District, Thiruppathur 635 601. Phone No: +91 4179220243 Email: cgrftpt@tnebnet.org |
| Vellore EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO (FORMERLY TNEB), Gandhi Nagar, Vellore 632 006 Phone No: +91 4162243121 Email: cgrfvl@tnebnet.org |
8. Chennai South Region
| Circle | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Chennai EDC/South | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO (FORMERLY TNEB), 110-KV SS Complex, Anna Main Road, K.K. Nagar, Chennai – 600 078. Phone No: +91 4424715121 Email: cgrfchns@tnebnet.org |
| Chennai EDC/West | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO (FORMERLY TNEB), 33KV Thirumangalam SS Complex, Anna Nagar, Chennai – 600 040 Phone No: +91 4426151133 Email: cgrfchnw@tnebnet.org |
| Chengalpattu EDC | Address: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, TANGEDCO (FORMERLY TNEB), 130, GST Road, Opposite to New Bus Stand, Chengalpattu – 603 001 Phone No: +91 4427423293 Email: secpt@tnebnet.org |
Level 3. Appeal to the Electricity Ombudsman, Tamil Nadu
The Electricity Ombudsman serves as the final level of appeal within the Tamil Nadu electricity complaint redressal system. You can approach the Ombudsman within 30 days if you believe the resolution provided by the TANGEDCO CGRF was inadequate or unjust.
When to File with the Ombudsman:
- CGRF Dissatisfaction: You have the right to escalate your complaint to the Ombudsman if you’re dissatisfied with the CGRF’s handling or resolution of your case.
- Time Limit: You can appeal to the Ombudsman if the grievance is not redressed within 2 months by the CGRF Forum.
How to File with the Ombudsman
The Ombudsman has a specific procedure for filing complaints. This involves a written representation submission, an online form, or a combination of both. Adhere to their guidelines.
You can appeal against TANGEDCO to the Ombudsman by submitting a complaint letter to the Registrar’s Office of Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) by referring the representation for the Electricity Ombudsman.
To appeal before TN EO, visit this link:
Always provide all the supporting documents and acknowledgement/reference ID of previously lodged complaints TANGEDCO and escalations to CGRF Forum.
The Role of the Ombudsman
- Impartial Review: The Ombudsman acts as an independent authority, reviewing your case and the previous decisions made by TANGEDCO and the CGRF.
- Binding Power: The Ombudsman’s decisions are usually binding on all parties involved, providing a final resolution to your electricity complaint.
Remember, it’s essential to have exhausted the previous levels of the redressal system (TANGEDCO and CGRF) before approaching the Ombudsman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1: What types of electricity complaints can I file with TANGEDCO?
Answer: You can file complaints covering a range of issues, including billing errors, power outages, voltage fluctuations, meter problems, delayed new connections, or unsatisfactory customer service.
Q 2: How long does TANGEDCO usually take to resolve complaints?
Answer: TANGEDCO have specific timelines for addressing different types of complaints. You can find this information in the citizen charter (see reference section below) or by contacting their helpline. If they exceed the promised timeline without providing a satisfactory resolution, you can escalate your complaint to senior officials.
Q 3: Do I need to pay any fees to file a complaint with the CGRF or Electricity Ombudsman?
Answer: There is no fees associated with filing complaints to CGRF and Electricity Ombudsman. However, you have to pay the minimum amout of pending payments as per the applicable rules of the Electricity Ombudsman or CGRF.
Q 4: Can I represent myself when filing a complaint with the CGRF or Ombudsman, or do I need a lawyer?
Answer: You have the right to represent yourself in these forums. However, if the issue is complex, you may choose to seek the assistance of the Consumer Advocay Cell (a free legal aid service of TN Electricity Regulatory Commission) in consumer rights or electricity-related matters.
Q 5: What happens if I’m still not satisfied after the Electricity Ombudsman’s decision?
Answer: While the Ombudsman’s decision is usually final, you may have the option to approach the appropriate consumer court or take legal action by approaching the High Court of the State (Madras High Court).
Reference:
