The Electricity Ombudsman shall have the following powers and duties:_..::.
(1) To receive the presentation from consumer(s)/Licenseewho is (are) aggrieve<li I by the order of the. Forum or its non-implementation except the order of the I Forum, ii the said order is made with the consent with the parties.
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(2) The Electricity Ombudsman shall exercise general powers of ' superintendence and control over his office and shall be responsible for I the conduct of business of his office. The budget of the Electricity / Ombudsman will be included in the Commission's budge!.
(3) The Electricity Ombudsman shall perform any other functions as may tie i specified from time to time by the Commission with regard to the consumer grievances.
·. 19._Procedure for filing a representation.-(1) The licensee or any consumer who is aggrieved with the order passed by Forum or non-implementation of the ) orders of the Forum within one month of the order of the Forum may himself or :
through his representative, make a representation in writing in Form-Ill duly signed !'
by the complainant or his authorized representative to the Electricity Ombudsman. !
(2) The representation shall state clearly (a) the Name (s) of the consumer(s). I or the organization, postal address, telephone number and e-mail address, if any, of:
the complainant, (b) The consumer number, category, address of the location of the!
service connection, name of the local distribution "licenses' office and address, the facts giving rise to complaint supported by documents, if any and relief sought from!
the Electricity Ombudsman, (c) The name of the Forum, date of order, decision of/ the Forum (a copy of the order of th-, Forum to be enclosed}. · 1
(3) No complaint-to the Electricity Ombudsman shall lie unless:- ,
(a) The complainant had before making a representation to the Electricit~ Ombudsman made a written representation to the Forum of the Distributiorl' Licensee named in the complaint and either the Forum had rejected ih~ complaint or the complainant had not received any reply within a period of three· months from date of filing of the grievance or the complainant i$ not satisfied with the orders of the Forum or the order of the Forum has not been complied with. !
(e) has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest;
(c) has become physically or menially incapable of ac.inqs an Ombudsman;
(d) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as an Ombudsman.
Regs. 16-19] ,Jhc.rkhand Local Acts 92 J ;, i I I I
(f) or has been guilty of proved misbehaviour. 1'
16. Territorial jurisdiction.-The territorial limits of Electricity Ombudsman i extend to entire State of Jharkhand. !
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(b) The representation is made within thirty days frc:n the date of receict oi \ the order of the Forum or such extended period as may be permitted b~'-\ the Ombudsman not exceeding further thirty days for reasons to be I recorded in writing Ombudsman; if it is satisfied that there exists I, sufficient cause for not filing it within that period. · . I \
(c) The complaint is fresh and has not been decided by the Electricity \ Ombudsman in any previous proceedings.
(d) The complaint does not pertain to the same subject matter for which any proceedings before the Commission or any authority/Court of law 1is pending or a decree or award or a final order has already been passed by the Commission or any competent Court, and I
(e) The complaint is riot frivolous or vexatious in nature.
(4) After registering the representation of the complainant, · licensee, the Ombudsman, within 7 days of registration, shall call for records relating to the .1 ..
representation from the concerned Forum. The concerned Forum shall send th~ entire records within 15 days from the date of issue of such notice, to the office of I the Ombudsman. 1·
20. Rejection of the representation=-rt) The Electricity Ombudsman may, reject the representation at any stage if it appears to him that the representation] \ made is: I
(a) frivolous, vexatious, ma/a fide; or \. I (b} without any sufficient cause; or I
(c) that It is not pursued by the complainant with reasonable diligence; or , I
(d) prima facie, there is no loss or damage or inconvenience caused to the I \' complainant. · 1
(2) The Electricity Ombudsman may reject a representation at any stage. If after consideration of the complaint and evidence produced before it, the Electricity , Ombudsman is of the opinion that the comptcated nature of the complaint required consideration of elaborate documentary and oral evidence and the proceedings before the Electricity Ombudsman are not appropriate for adjudication of such complaint. ·
(3) The decision to reject ·the representation shall be conveyed to the complainant by way of speaking order in writing.
(4) The representation can be withdrawn by making a petition to that effect to the Electricity Ombudsman which may allow the withdrawal with such orders as it deems necessary.