(1) Criteria for selection as Institutional Consumer Representative (CR)-
(a) The applicant organization shall be registered under applicable laws, preferably working for three (3) years on matters concerning consumer grievances/tariff regulatory affairs.
(b) The applicant shall preferably be a ‘not for profit’ kind of organization.
(c) The applicant organization shall be either:
(i) a research and academic institution, or
(ii) and advocacy group, such as NGO working in public interest, or
(iii) associations of consumers and professionals.
(d) The applicant organization shall furnish information as per Appendix-A to these Regulations alongwith adequate data/ documents as proof of its working in the interest of electricity consumers.
Compendium of HPERC Regulations, March 2021 3
(2) Criteria for selection as Individuals Consumer Representative (CR)-
(a) An individual applicant shall be a person of experiences, ability integrity and standing, who has adequate knowledge of and has shown capacity in dealing with problems relating to the electrical engineering, finance, commerce, economics, law, administration and management etc. and has held strategic positions in the said fields under the Government or its undertaking, and is familiar with consumer affairs or regulatory affairs; or had been the representative of the registered voluntary consumer protection organizations NGOS or consumer activists with experience of at least three years in dealing with the matters concerning “consumer grievances”/tariff regulatory matters:
Provided that a person to be authorised to as a Consumer Representative shall not have been in the employment in any capacity or agency of, the licensee for a minimum period of one year prior to his being engaged as the Consumer Representative (CR) under these regulations.
(b) Proof of recognition and experience of an individual person, shall be considered for his/her being authorized to represent the interest of consumers in the proceedings before the Commission.
(c) An Individual Consumer Representative (CR) shall not be a member of an Institutional Consumer Representative (CR).
(d) The applicant shall furnish information as per Appendix-B to these Regulations alongwith adequate data/documents as proof of his/her working in the interest of Electricity Consumers.
(e) Knowledge of spoken and written Hindi Language apart from English would be preferable.
(3) The Commission, while selecting a Consumer Representative (CR), may keep the following in view, as the minimum eligibility requirement:-
(a) Suitability to make representations on behalf of the electricity consumers having regard to past experience in similar proceedings;
(b) Past experience in representing the interests of certain categories of consumers/ institutions/parties, local industry, Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations, etc.
(c) Before authorizing a Consumer Representative (CR), the Commission shall satisfy itself that the applicant organization/ Individual does not have any financial or other interest which is likely to affect prejudicially its/his/her functions as an authorized Consumer Representative (CR).