Fri Jan 24 09:32:29 IST 2025: ## Karnataka to Establish Corporate-Level Electricity Grievance Forums
**Bengaluru, January 24, 2025** – Karnataka’s electricity consumers will soon have a new avenue for resolving grievances. The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has released a draft amendment to its Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) regulations, proposing the establishment of additional CGRFs at the corporate offices of electricity supply companies (escoms).
Currently, CGRFs operate at the revenue district level. The amendment aims to provide an escalation path for unresolved complaints. The new corporate-level forums will be composed of four members, including a chairperson (a Chief Engineer-level escom official), a superintending engineer-level escom official, a consumer representative nominated by the escom, and a KERC-appointed member with expertise in electricity, consumer affairs, or law. These last two members will serve three-year terms and receive an honorarium, sitting fee, travel allowance, and dearness allowance.
The draft regulations also introduce the term “Prosumer,” referring to individuals who both consume and inject electricity into the grid. The amendment mandates digital interfaces and automatic escalation of unresolved complaints (those not resolved within 60 days at the district level) to the corporate CGRF.
While some consumers welcome the change, others express skepticism, arguing that the addition is insufficient and should be complemented by strengthening district-level forums. One electricity sector expert and consumer activist criticized the delay, noting that similar provisions were announced by the Union Government three years prior.
First Piper 