(1) As per Section 52(6) of the E:tectricity Act, 2003, the Commission shall appoint or designate an authority to be known as Electricity 'Ornbudsrnan for settiement of consumer grievance concerning non redressal of the consumer grievance by Forum established under Clause 3 of this regulation under Section 42(5) of the Act. As per Section 42(7) of the Act, the Commission makes the following regulations regarding the time and manner in which the Ombudsman shall settle the grievance of the consumer.
(2) The Ele tricity Ombudsman appointed/designated by the Commission should be an EIE ctrical Engineer/Finance/Administrative/Legal officer with ability, integrity and standing, conversant with the working of the-Electricity industry and enjoying a hiqr, reputation. The person should have a minimum of 25 years of experience in his relevant field. Experience of working of Consumers' Grievance Redressal Ceil/Forum will be desirable. The minimum age of the person to be considered fer appointment, as Electricity Ombudsman shall be 50 years: Provided that Ombudsman shall not hold the office after attain,ng the age of 6q years.
(4) The appointment of Electricity Ombudsman under this Clause may be made for a period not exceeding three years, provided that the tenure of an Electricity Ombudsman, may be extended by ihe Commission for further' period not excaedinq one year at a time. · · -=~·
(5) The remuneration and other perquisites payable to Electricity Ombudsma~,--, will be determined and borne by the Commission. -~"-
(6) The Electricity Ombudsman shall be provided with a Secretariat. The cos_ · of the Secretariat will be borne by the Commission. · · -1:~
(7) Before entering the office, the Electricity Ombudsman shall make anff subscribeto an Oath of office and secrecy in the form as may be prescribed by ther Commission. The Chairman of the Commission will administer the oath. "\'
(8) The Electricity Ombudsman shall be deemed to be public servant withi:.;,, the meaning of Section 21 of Indian Penal Code.- .-i~:·
(9) Where the-Commission is satisfied that in the public interest or for- thj/· ...
reason of incapacity of the Electricity Ombudsman, it may for reasons to oe recorded in writing and by giving him one month notice or by paying one month salary in lieu there of remove any Electricity Ombudsman from his office.
(10) The Electricity Ombudsman may relinquish his office by giving in writing to the Commission a notice of not less than one. month or by paying one month's salary in lieu there of.
• (11) The Electricity Ombudsman shall not hold any office of profit during his tenure as Electricity Ombudsman.
1[ (12) Removal .ot the Ombudsman.-The Commission may, by order, remove from the office Ombudsman if he/she-
(a) has been adjudged an insolvent;
(b) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Commission, involves moral turpitude;
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17. Location of office and temporary headquarters.c-Tha office(s) of the Electricity Ombudsman(s) will be located at such. place(s) as may be specified by the Commission. In order to expedite disposal of complaints, the Electricity Ombudsman may hold sittings at such places within his area of jurisdiction as may be considered necessary and proper by him in respect of a complaint or reference, as the case may be, before him.