The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on April 30, 2026, issued the Draft Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (Grievances Redressal Forum and Ombudsman) Regulations, 2026.
The following has been stated:-
•The draft Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission Regulations, 2026, establish updated rules for Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums (GRFs) and Electricity Ombudsmen under the Electricity Act, 2003.
•Every distribution licensee in Odisha must set up district-level GRFs to resolve consumer complaints related to billing, metering, supply interruptions, disconnections, and other electricity service deficiencies within 45 days.
•The Regulations provide for appointment, qualifications, tenure, remuneration, and powers of Forum members and Ombudsmen, along with procedures for filing complaints and appeals.
•Four Ombudsman offices will function at Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Balasore, and Berhampur to hear appeals against non-redressal of grievances by GRFs, generally within two months.
•The draft also introduces online complaint systems, camp courts, RTI applicability, reporting requirements, and penalties for non-compliance by licensees under Section 142 of the Electricity Act.
Interested persons may furnish their valuable views/suggestions on the Regulations to the undersigned by May 30, 2026.
The detailed notification is given in the document below.
[Notification No.: OERC/ENGG.- 04/2021/518]
