Jamshedpur, Sept. 27: Electricity consumers can take power utilities to task if it fails to deliver on its promises. The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission is framing rules that will make it mandatory for the JSEB and other service providers to compensate consumers if they renege on an agreement.

Commission chairman S.K.F. Kujur said the panel was drafting rules under which any power utility would have to provide adequate monetary compensation to the party if the licensee fails to deliver as per the agreement.

?All licensees in the power sector, be it public or private, have to give a minimum guarantee on how much power they would assure the consumers in a year. In case they fail to do so, the consumers would have the right to demand monetary compensation from the licensee,? he said.

Kujur said the commission had prepared a draft of the rule, but it was not unveiling it as yet. ?Before implementing it, we will hold a public hearing on the issue where the views of all licensees in the power sector will be heard. After we hear their views, we will come up with the new rule.?

Commission sources said the rule would be stringent as it proposes that if a licensee fails to meet the standard of performance in providing power, both in terms of quality and quantity, the aggrieved party or parties can move the panel to demand compensation. ?The commission will take up the matter and hear both parties and then take a decision. If the grievances of the consumer or a group of consumers are found to be genuine, the licensee has to provide monetary compensation within 90 days from the judgment of the commission,? the sources said.

Commission officials said the new rule was in tune with the new Electricity Act of 2003, which has spelled out that rights of power consumers are to be protected.

Industrialists and traders welcomed the move. ?Private players like Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company (Jusco) will not have any problems since they manage things professionally. But for licensees like JSEB, which is bereft of adequate infrastructure and beset with other problems, the new rule could spell disaster as their functioning is not very professional,? said a leading industrialist of the town.

Kujur said private players were welcome in the power sector. ?The new electricity Act has spelled out that consumers have the right to choose their service provider. There can be more than one player to provide power to the consumers,? he said.