HARYANA ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION (HERC) IN THE NEWS Period from 01.01.2023 TO 31.03.2023

HERC Prioritizes Demand Side Management and Energy Conservation in Landmark Tariff Order for FY 2025-26

Chandigarh, 2nd April, 2025: In a sweeping move aimed at consumer relief, energy efficiency, and financial sustainability, the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has released its much-anticipated Tariff Order for FY 2025-26, effective from April 1, 2025. Under the leadership of Chairman Shri Nand Lal Sharma and Member Shri Mukesh Garg, the Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to demand side management (DSM), energy conservation, and consumer-centric governance. One of the most notable reforms is the complete waiver of Monthly Minimum Charges (MMC) for consumption upto 300 units and load upto 5 KW in respect of domestic supply categories across Haryana. Such consumers will now pay only for actual consumption, offering significant monetary relief while also encouraging energy savings. This move is expected to counterbalance the nominal tariff increase of 15–20 paise per unit for domestic consumers and eliminate unnecessary energy usage previously incurred to meet MMC requirements.

The Tariff Order further extends relief to agricultural, industrial, and commercial consumers. For agricultural users with metered connections, MMC has been reduced from ₹200 to ₹180/₹144 per BHP per year, depending on load. HERC has approved a revenue gap of ₹3,262.38 crore only as against the projected revenue gap of ₹4,520.24 crore after disallowing unjustified expenditure. The Discoms—Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN)—have been directed to implement strict cost-cutting and loss-reduction measures to improve operational efficiency.

A new tariff category has been introduced for mushroom compost and spawn production, hydroponics, aeroponics, and cold storage units operated by Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The rate has been set at ₹4.75/unit for loads up to 20 kW and ₹6.50/unit beyond, supporting sustainable agricultural practices. The Commission has capped distribution losses at 10%, rejecting inflated estimates submitted by the Discoms, and mandated a cost-of-supply study within six months. In furtherance of its green energy goals, HERC has directed Discoms to simplify the PM Surya Ghar Yojna, ensure net meter availability, and deploy 200 MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) by the end of FY 2025-26.

The order also takes into account the financial health of the utilities. Trade receivables have surged by ₹2,877 crore in FY 2023-24, totalling ₹6,370 crore. HERC has ordered a complete revamp of receivables and inventory management systems. The Commission has raised concerns over underutilized infrastructure valued at ₹572.23 crore by HVPNL and has instructed more strategic and efficient resource planning. Operational inefficiencies such as defective metering, transformer damage, and pending connections have been flagged for urgent resolution. Discoms have been given a target to reduce AT&C losses of all urban feeders below 20% and that of Rural feeders below 40%, which were on 25% losses 50% losses, respectively. Additionally, HERC has directed Discoms to introduce a simplified and transparent billing system for enhanced consumer clarity.

To enhance transparency and accountability, HERC has mandated stricter monitoring of power procurement through the Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC). Time-bound compliance with Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) and court orders must be ensured via public meetings and Lok Adalats.

This Tariff Order is being hailed as a progressive and balanced reform that not only protects consumer interests but also reinforces financial prudence, operational discipline, and green energy adoption. It sets a new benchmark for regulatory governance in the power sector, reaffirming Haryana’s commitment to affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity for all.

HERC Chairman Directs Power Utilities to Enhance Efficiency, Reduce Losses, and Accelerate Renewable Energy Adoption

Chandigarh, February 19, 2025 : The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) convened its 31st State Advisory Committee meeting under the chairmanship of Nand Lal Sharma at the HERC, Panchkula. Held under Sections 87 and 88 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the meeting focused on enhancing operational efficiency, minimising power losses, and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy in Haryana's power sector.

Senior officials from power utilities, including Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN), haryana Vidut Parsaran Nigam (HVPN), and Haryana power generation Corporation Limited ( HPGCL), presented their progress reports. The meeting was attended by HERC Member Mukesh Garg, MD DHBVN A. Sreenivas, MD HVPN Ashima Brar, MD UHBVN and HPGCL Ashok Kumar Meena, Secretary Jaiprakash, Electricity Ombudsman R.K. Khanna, and other senior officers. Industry representatives also participated, raising concerns about power supply challenges due to NGT directions impacting businesses.

Chairman Nand Lal Sharma emphasised the significant need to improve operational efficiency and reduce the gap between the Average Cost of Supply (ACS) and Average Revenue Realisation (ARR). He directed power utilities to engage full-time consultants to align operations with international standards and optimise performance. Stressing the intent behind the Electricity Act, 2003, he reiterated the need for fostering competition in the power sector while ensuring consumers receive affordable and reliable electricity.

Key Discussions and Directives:

• Grid Stability and Renewable Integration: Recognizing grid stability during peak hours as a major concern, Sharma instructed utilities to develop robust energy storage solutions to efficiently integrate renewable energy sources. He also mandated strict compliance with central government initiatives such as PM-KUSUM and PM Har Ghar Sor Urja to meet renewable energy targets within stipulated timelines.
• Loss Reduction Initiatives: Efforts to curb Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses were extensively reviewed. MD DHBVN, A. Sreenivas, reported that DHBVN, serving 42.58 lakh consumers, currently faces 12.37% AT& C losses (Aggregate transmission and commercial losses) , with a strategic target to bring them into single digits. He also highlighted the successful installation of 385.81 MW of rooftop solar capacity under PM Har ghar sor urja scheme. MD UHBVN, Ashok Kumar Meena, stated that UHBVN, catering to 37.64 lakh consumers, has already reduced its losses to 9.15%, staying well within regulatory limits.
• Transmission Efficiency and Financial Challenges: MD HVPN, Ashima Brar, detailed that HVPN operates 468 substations with transmission losses limited to just 1.86%, well below HERC’s permissible threshold. However, she raised concerns over rising compensation costs for high-tension (HT) transmission lines, which have significantly impacted budget allocations. Meanwhile, MD HPGCL, Ashok Meena, confirmed that HPGCL has an installed generation capacity of 2,582.40 MW, operating in full compliance with HERC guidelines.
• Consumer Grievance Redressal and Infrastructure Development: HERC Member Mukesh Garg emphasized the importance of strict implementation of Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) orders to ensure prompt resolution of consumer complaints. He also sought updates on infrastructure development in rural areas, directing utilities to focus on modernizing outdated power distribution networks.
• Industry Concerns and Supply Reliability: Addressing industry-specific challenges, representatives Narang and Sumit Rao highlighted certain issues and inconsistencies affecting businesses. In response, Chairman Sharma assured them of adequate power supply and directed officials to reinforce industrial power distribution systems. Regarding government subsidies, he clarified that HERC has no objections as long as they are provided in accordance with Section 65 of the Electricity Act, 2003.

Chairman Nand Lal Sharma underscored the imperative for power utilities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and effectively execute projects under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and other central and state initiatives. He stressed the need for continuous monitoring, technological advancements, and infrastructure upgrades to strengthen Haryana’s power sector. The meeting reinforced HERC’s commitment to driving efficiency, promoting renewable energy, and ensuring consumer-centric power distribution and transmission systems while maintaining regulatory compliance and financial sustainability.

HERC’s 31st State Advisory Committee Meeting on February 19 to Address Power Tariffs and Revenue Deficit

Chandigarh, (16^th February, 2025). The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) will convene its 31st State Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting on February 19, under the chairmanship of Nand Lal Sharma to finalize electricity tariffs for the new financial year 2025-26. The meeting will focus on the financial sustainability of power distribution companies, consumer protection measures, and reforms to improve the efficiency of Haryana’s power sector.

The SAC, constituted under Sections 87 and 88 of the Electricity Act, 2003, plays a key role to advise on policy matters, including service quality, consumer rights, and the performance of distribution companies. The 21-member committee comprises representatives from industries, agriculture, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and the managing directors of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVNL) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVNL).

In a public hearing held on January 15, HERC gathered feedback from stakeholders regarding the proposed electricity tariffs. Following this, the power distribution companies submitted a Net Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) of ₹45,978.93 crore for FY 2025-26. However, the Commission has asked them to submit a concrete action plan to address the revenue shortfall of ₹4,520.24 crore.

The meeting will deliberate on various aspects, including measures to reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, the expansion of smart metering systems, and the implementation of IT-based consumer grievance redressal mechanisms. The performance of Haryana’s thermal power plants will also be reviewed to ensure compliance with efficiency improvement directives and promote the involvement of local vendors in procurement processes. Additionally, the progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a central scheme aimed at promoting rooftop solar installations, will be assessed to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in the state.

HERC Chairman Nand Lal Sharma, who took charge on February 2, 2024, has emphasized the need for transparency and consumer-focused policies in the power sector. With extensive experience of energy sector, he is advocating for technological innovation, financial stability, and a more efficient power distribution framework. The outcomes of the SAC meeting are expected to play a significant role in shaping decisions regarding electricity tariffs, operational improvements in power distribution companies, and enhanced consumer services across Haryana.

हरियाणा विद्युत नियामक आयोग ने लिया उपभोक्ता हित मे बड़ा कदम, आर.के. खन्ना बने नए विद्युत लोकपाल

चंडीगढ़, 19 जनवरी 2025:

हरियाणा विद्युत नियामक आयोग (एचईआरसी) ने उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायतों के त्वरित और पारदर्शी समाधान के लिए 17 जनवरी को इंजीनियर राकेश कुमार खन्ना को विद्युत लोकपाल नियुक्त किया। बिजली वितरण क्षेत्र में 25 वर्षों से अधिक का अनुभव रखने वाले श्री खन्ना ने इस जिम्मेदारी को उपभोक्ता समस्याओं के समाधान का एक महत्वपूर्ण अवसर बताया।

एचईआरसी ने उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायतों के निवारण के लिए तीन स्तरों की सुदृढ़ प्रणाली बनाई है।

1. ₹1 लाख तक के विवाद सर्कल स्तर पर 21 सीजीआरएफ़ के माध्यम से हल किए जाते हैं। 
2. ₹1–3 लाख के विवाद चार जोनल सीजीआरएफ़ में सुने जाते हैं। 
3. ₹3 लाख से अधिक के विवाद दो कॉरपोरेट सीजीआरएफ़ (पंचकूला और गुरुग्राम) द्वारा निपटाए जाते हैं। 

सीजीआरएफ़ के निर्णय से असंतुष्ट उपभोक्ता अपनी शिकायतें विद्युत लोकपाल के समक्ष प्रस्तुत कर सकते हैं।

एचईआरसी के अध्यक्ष नन्द लाल शर्मा और सदस्य मुकेश गर्ग के निर्देश हैं कि उपभोक्ता शिकायतों का समाधान समयबद्ध और पारदर्शी तरीके से सुनिश्चित किया जाए।

यह पहल हरियाणा के बिजली उपभोक्ताओं के लिए एक ऐतिहासिक कदम है। एचईआरसी की यह प्रतिबद्धता पारदर्शिता, जवाबदेही और उपभोक्ता संतुष्टि को प्राथमिकता देकर राज्य की बिजली सेवाओं में सुधार का आधार बनेगी।

एचईआरसी ने बिजली निगमों से मांगी घाटा कम करने और सुधार की ठोस योजना

चंडीगढ़, 16 जनवरी 2025: हरियाणा विद्युत विनियामक आयोग (एचईआरसी) ने बुधवार को राज्य के बिजली निगमों की वार्षिक राजस्व आवश्यकता (एआरआर) पर आयोजित जनसुनवाई के दौरान गहन समीक्षा की। अध्यक्ष नन्द लाल शर्मा और सदस्य मुकेश गर्ग की अगुवाई में हुई इस सुनवाई में उत्तर हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (यूएचबीवीएन), दक्षिण हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (डीएचबीवीएन), हरियाणा विद्युत प्रसारण निगम लिमिटेड (एचवीपीएनएल), और हरियाणा पावर जनरेशन कॉरपोरेशन लिमिटेड (एचपीजीसीएल) की याचिकाओं की विस्तार से चर्चा की गई।

आयोग ने बिजली निगमों की वित्तीय स्थिति और परिचालन प्रदर्शन की समीक्षा करते हुए निर्देश दिया कि राजस्व घाटा कम करने, टैरिफ प्रक्रिया को पारदर्शी बनाने और उपभोक्ताओं को राहत देने के लिए ठोस योजनाएं प्रस्तुत की जाएं। आयोग ने ईंधन समायोजन शुल्क (एफएसए) के तहत ₹8245.85 करोड़ का विवरण और इसे कम करने की योजना मांगी। साथ ही, वित्तीय वर्ष 2025-26 के लिए ₹4520.24 करोड़ के अनुमानित घाटे को पूरा करने के लिए लागत में कटौती, दक्षता सुधार जैसे उपाय सुझाने को कहा।

आयोग ने कहा कि बिलिंग प्रक्रिया को सरल और पारदर्शी बनाना आवश्यक है। बिजली बिल में बिल अवधि, कुल खपत, बिल की राशि और भुगतान की अंतिम तिथि को स्पष्ट और मोटे अक्षरों में दिखाने का निर्देश दिया गया। साथ ही, उपभोक्ताओं को एसएमएस के माध्यम से बिलिंग की प्रमुख जानकारी उपलब्ध कराने की व्यवस्था की जाए। 

आयोग ने यह भी निर्देश दिया कि उपभोक्ता श्रेणीवार टैरिफ वृद्धि और सब्सिडी का विस्तृत विवरण प्रस्तुत किया जाए। इसके अतिरिक्त, बैंकिंग चार्ज (₹500.42 करोड़) और ऊर्जा बैंकिंग से संबंधित डेटा का विश्लेषण मांगा गया। अगले पांच वर्षों में वितरण हानियों को कम करने की योजना और संविदा व नियमित कर्मचारियों की संख्या व उनकी लागत का पूरा डेटा भी प्रस्तुत करने को कहा गया। हरियाणा विद्युत प्रसारण निगम लिमिटेड (एचवीपीएनएल) को ट्रांसमिशन हानियों को कम करने की योजना का निर्देश दिया गया।

हरियाणा पावर जनरेशन कॉरपोरेशन लिमिटेड (एचपीजीसीएल) को फ्लाई ऐश के निस्तारण, बिक्री और इसे "अन्य आय" के रूप में एआरआर में शामिल करने का विस्तृत विवरण प्रस्तुत करने को कहा गया।

आयोग ने एचपीजीसीएल को प्लांट उपलब्धता फैक्टर (पीएएफ) को 80% से बढ़ाकर 90% करने की योजना प्रस्तुत करने का निर्देश दिया। यमुनानगर प्लांट के संभावित टैरिफ और कोयले की गुणवत्ता को लेकर उठाए गए दावों का पूरा विवरण भी मांगा गया। इसके साथ ही, एचपीजीसीएल के परिसर में स्थित डीएवी स्कूल को बिना किसी सहयोग के स्वतंत्र रूप से संचालित करने की संभावना का आकलन करने का निर्देश दिया गया। अध्यक्ष नन्द लाल शर्मा ने कहा कि यह जनसुनवाई हरियाणा के बिजली निगमों की कार्यक्षमता और पारदर्शिता बढ़ाने की दिशा में एक बड़ा कदम है। उन्होंने कहा कि इस प्रक्रिया का उद्देश्य न केवल निगमों की वित्तीय स्थिति को मजबूत करना है, बल्कि उपभोक्ताओं को उच्च गुणवत्ता वाली सेवाएं प्रदान करना भी है। उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि इन सुधारों से बिजली वितरण और उत्पादन कंपनियों के संचालन में सुधार होगा।

आयोग ने सभी निगमों को निर्देश दिया कि वे मांगी गई जानकारी समयबद्ध तरीके से प्रस्तुत करें। आयोग ने यह भी स्पष्ट किया कि अंतिम आदेश जल्द जारी किए जाएंगे, जो हरियाणा की बिजली व्यवस्था को अधिक पारदर्शी एवं न्यायसंगत बनाएंगे।

किफायती एवं गुणवत्तापूर्ण बिजली उपभोक्ताओं को मिले, इस दिशा में काम करें: नन्द लाल शर्मा

- एचईआरसी अध्यक्ष ने नव वर्ष पर विद्युत क्षेत्र में सुधार के दिए अहम निर्देश

चंडीगढ़ (1 जनवरी 2025) । नव वर्ष 2025 के अवसर पर हरियाणा विद्युत विनियामक आयोग (एचईआरसी) के मुख्यालय पंचकूला में आयोजित विशेष कार्यक्रम में अध्यक्ष नन्द लाल शर्मा ने प्रदेश के विद्युत क्षेत्र में सुधार और उपभोक्ता हितों को सर्वोपरि रखने पर जोर दिया। उन्होंने कहा कि आयोग का कार्य पब्लिक इंटरेस्ट को ध्यान में रखते हुए होना चाहिए और सभी अधिकारी एवं कर्मचारी इस दिशा में पूरी प्रतिबद्धता के साथ काम करें।

अध्यक्ष ने स्पष्ट निर्देश दिए कि टैरिफ ऑर्डर 31 मार्च से पहले जारी किया जाए। इसके साथ ही, उन्होंने आयोग में लंबित सभी पिटीशनों का शीघ्र निपटान करने और उपभोक्ता शिकायत निवारण मंच में दर्ज शिकायतों का समाधान छह माह के भीतर सुनिश्चित करने का आदेश दिया। उन्होंने कहा, "हमारा उद्देश्य उपभोक्ताओं को किफायती और गुणवत्तापूर्ण बिजली उपलब्ध कराना है। इसके लिए ठोस और समयबद्ध प्रयास होने चाहिए।" कार्यक्रम में अध्यक्ष नन्द लाल शर्मा ने आयोग के लीगल, तकनीकी और टैरिफ सेक्शन्स के अधिकारियों से अपने कार्यों में आधुनिक तकनीक और नवीन दृष्टिकोण अपनाने पर जोर दिया। उन्होंने कहा कि विद्युत क्षेत्र को तर्कसंगत तरीके से नियंत्रित करने के लिए बेहतरीन और एकरूप विनियम तैयार किए जाने चाहिए। यदि पुराने विनियमों में संशोधन की आवश्यकता है, तो उसमें तत्काल सुधार किया जाए।

उन्होंने जोर दिया कि अन्य राज्यों के विद्युत विनियामक आयोगों और केंद्रीय विद्युत विनियामक आयोग (सीईआरसी) के ऑर्डर्स का गहन अध्ययन किया जाए। इसके अलावा, अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर चल रहे विद्युत सुधारों का अनुसरण कर उनका लाभ उठाने की आवश्यकता पर बल दिया। उन्होंने कहा कि यह कदम उपभोक्ताओं के हितों की रक्षा करने और प्रदेश के विद्युत क्षेत्र को नई ऊंचाइयों तक ले जाने में सहायक होगा।

कार्यक्रम के दौरान अध्यक्ष नन्द लाल शर्मा ने अधिकारियों और कर्मचारियों से संवाद कर विद्युत क्षेत्र में सुधार के लिए सुझाव मांगे। इस कार्यक्रम में उन्होंने हर विभाग की प्रगति का जायजा लिया और बेहतर कार्य के लिए कर्मचारियों को प्रोत्साहित किया। कार्यक्रम की शुरुआत दीप प्रज्ज्वलन के साथ हुई, जिसमें आयोग के निदेशक तकनीकी वीरेंद्र सिंह समेत सभी अधिकारी और कर्मचारी शामिल हुए। मंच संचालन उप निदेशक मीडिया प्रदीप मलिक ने किया।

इस अवसर पर कर्मचारियों ने सामूहिक रूप से गीत और सांस्कृतिक प्रस्तुतियाँ देकर कार्यक्रम को यादगार बना दिया। यह पहल न केवल मनोरंजक थी, बल्कि सभी में सकारात्मक ऊर्जा और उत्साह भरने में भी सफल रही।

Public Hearing on New Power Tariffs Scheduled for January 15, 2025, to be Chaired by Nand Lal Sharma; Member Mukesh Garg to Hear Arguments

Chandigarh (December 18, 2024): The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has announced a public hearing to discuss new electricity tariffs and the projected revenue requirements for power companies in the upcoming fiscal year. The hearing is set for January 15, 2025, at the HERC headquarters, located in Sector 4, Panchkula. Nand Lal Sharma, the Commission's Chairman, will preside over the hearing, with Mukesh Garg, a Member of the Commission, also present to hear arguments from stakeholders.

Focus of the Hearing

The public hearing will address petitions submitted by Haryana's key power utilities, which include:

• HPGCL (Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited) 
• HVPN (Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam) 
• UHBVN (Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam) 
• DHBVN (Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam)

The petitions cover the following components:  

1. True-Up for Financial Year 2023-24 
2. Business Plan for 2025-29 
3. Mid-Term Performance Review for 2024-25 
4. Projected Revenue Requirements for 2025-26

Suggestions and Objections

The Commission invites all stakeholders, including the general public, to submit their objections and suggestions in writing to the Secretary of HERC by January 5, 2025. Submissions should include five copies of the objections along with the full name, address, phone number, and email ID of the individual or organization submitting. Soft copies can also be sent to the Commission. Relevant documents and petitions can be downloaded free of charge from the official HERC website: www.herc.gov.in.

Objective of the Public Hearing

The primary goal of the public hearing is to ensure transparency and a fair decision-making process regarding proposed revisions to electricity tariffs. This hearing provides stakeholders, including consumers, with an opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions on the petitions filed by the power utilities. The Commission strives to balance the financial needs of power companies with the interests of electricity consumers, promoting dialogue and ensuring that decisions are made justly and equitably. 

Significance

Given the rising demand for electricity and the increasing financial pressures on power utilities, the outcome of this public hearing will significantly influence the revised power tariffs for the next financial year. It reflects the Commission’s commitment to engaging with stakeholders and promoting transparency during tariff revisions.

Naresh Sardana Excelled as a Member of HERC: Nand Lal Sharma

Chandigarh, May 28, 2024 - Nand Lal Sharma, Chairman of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), praised Naresh Sardana for his exemplary work as a Member of HERC. Sardana brings extensive experience in power generation, transmission, system operation, administration, and regulatory governance.

Sharma was speaking at a farewell party held at the HERC office in Panchkula on Tuesday to mark the end of Sardana's tenure. The event was attended by HERC Member (Law) Mukesh Garg, Secretary Narender Kumar and various officials and employees of the Commission.

Nand Lal Sharma highlighted that Haryana was the second state in the country to implement electricity reforms, establishing the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission in 1998. At that time, Sharma was serving as Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, where he studied the HERC Act, leading to the establishment of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Regulatory Commission on December 30, 2000. Sharma expressed his pride in now serving as the Chairman of HERC, having previously served as CMD of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, which is acclaimed for its work in hydro and solar energy sectors. He acknowledged the unprecedented progress in the electricity sector today.

Sharma noted that Sardana's technical expertise was evident in HERC's judicial orders and expressed hope that Sardana would continue to serve the public interest in the future. HERC Member (Law) Mukesh Garg also commended Sardana's contributions, stating that the Commission would miss his presence. Secretary Narender Kumar appreciated Sardana's administrative experience, which significantly benefited HERC's administrative functions during his tenure. The event was anchored by Deputy Director (Media) Pradeep Malik, who provided a brief overview of Sardana's contributions and emphasized the value of experience over knowledge, suggesting that the commission would continue to benefit from Sardana's expertise.

Naresh Sardana recounted that he took charge at the commission on May 29, 2019. Before joining HERC, he served in the Haryana State Electricity Board (HSEB) and subsequently in the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) following HSEB's reorganization. Prior to his role at HERC, he was the Director of UHBVN. He recalled his involvement in the Mhara Gaon, Jagmag Gaon initiative launched by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal in Dyalpur village, Kurukshetra, on July 1, 2015. Sardana highlighted the financial turnaround of the state's power distribution companies, which were once heavily in debt. Under the UDAY scheme, implemented on March 2, 2016, the state government took over 75% (INR 25,950 crore) of the INR 34,600 crore debt of the electricity corporations. As a result, the Aggregate Transmission and Commercial Losses (AT&C) of the power distribution companies have significantly reduced and are now in single digits.

The occasion concluded with heartfelt congratulations from all HERC officials and employees, who wished Sardana well on the successful completion of his tenure. Nand Lal Sharma, Chairman of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), at the farewell party on Tuesday marking the term conclusion of HERC Member Naresh Sardana, along with HERC (Law) Mukesh Garg.

उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायतों के निवारण में आईटी का अधिकतम इस्तेमाल करें: नन्द लाल शर्मा

- उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायत दर्ज होते ही उसको संदेश जाना चाहिए कि आपकी शिकायत पर कार्रवाई चल रही है:एचईआरसी

- एचईआरसी की 30 वीं एसएसी की मीटिंग में एचईआरसी चेयरमैन नन्द लाल शर्मा ने डिस्कॉम्स को इस संबंध में दिए दिशा निर्देश

- डीएचबीवीएन के एमडी ने कहा कि निश्चित तौर पर उपभोक्ता सेवा रेटिंग के लिए और बेहतरीन कार्य करेंगे

- एचईआरसी ने एआरआर ऑर्डर जारी करने से पहले एसएसी के सदस्यों से लिए सुझाव

चंडीगढ़ (09 फरवरी, 2024)। हरियाणा विद्युत विनियामक आयोग के अध्यक्ष नन्द लाल शर्मा ने कहा कि बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायतों के निवारण में सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी (आईटी) का अधिकतम प्रयोग करें, उपभोक्ता की शिकायत दर्ज करने से उसके निवारण तक उसकी शिकायत का उसको पूरा अपडेट दें।

श्री शर्मा शुक्रवार को एचईआरसी की 30 वीं राज्य सलाहकार समिति (एसएसी) की बैठक की अध्यक्षता कर रहे थे, इस अवसर पर एचईआरसी के सदस्य (तकनीकी) नरेश सरदाना एवं सदस्य (विधि) मुकेश गर्ग, डीएचबीवीएन के प्रबंध निदेशक पी.सी.मीणा सहित एसएसी के अधिकतम सदस्य उपस्थित थे।

उल्लेखनीय है कि विद्युत अधिनियिम, 2003 की धारा 87 में एसएसी के गठन तथा 88 में एसएसी के उद्देश्यों के बारे में उल्लेख है। बिजली उपभोक्ताओं के हितों के संरक्षण,विद्युत आपूर्ति के दौरान सभी मानदंडों का समुचित ढंग से प्रयोग हो और विद्युत नीति से संबंधित विषयों पर इस मीटिंग में विचार विमर्श होता है। इस मीटिंग में एचईआरसी के अध्यक्ष इस कमेटी के पदेन अध्यक्ष होते हैं, दोनों सदस्य पदेन सदस्य एवं खाद्य एवं आपूर्ति विभाग की सचिव भी इसकी पदेन सदस्य सहित इस कमेटी के अधिकतम 21 सदस्य होते हैं।

एचईआरसी नए वित्त वर्ष यानी 2024-25 के लिए नई बिजली दरें तय करेगा, इसके लिए 8 फरवरी को उत्तर हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (यूएचबीवीएन) एवं दक्षिण हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (डीएचबीवीएन) की वार्षिक राजस्व आवश्यकता (एआरआर)पिटीशन पर जनसुनवाई हो चुकी है। एआरआर ऑर्डर जारी करने से पहले एचईआरसी ने यह एसएसी की मीटिंग बुलाकर समिति के सभी सदस्यों के सुझाव दर्ज कर किए। हरियाणा विद्युत प्रसारण निगम (एचवीपीएन), हरियाणा बिजली उत्पादन निगम (एचपीजीसीएल), यूएचबीवीएन और डीएचबीवीएन के वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों से एचईआरसी के चेयरमैन एवं सदस्यों ने बिजली उपभोक्ताओं को और बेहतर सेवा देने संबंधी काफी प्रश्र किए, जिसके जवाब में पावर यूटिलिटीस के अधिकारियों ने सटीक जवाब दिए।

एचईआरसी अध्यक्ष शर्मा ने निर्देश दिए कि एचपीजीसीएल के तहत आने वाले सभी थर्मल प्लांटों का टेक्रिकल आडिट कराएं, प्लांटों के स्पेयर पार्ट के लिए चाइनीज मशीनरी के स्थान पर लोकल वेंडर विकसित करें। स्मार्ट मीटरिंग के जरिए अपनी दक्षता में सुधार लाएं। एचईआरसी सदस्य नरेश सरदाना ने उपभोक्ता शिकायत निवारण मंच (सीजीआरएफ) के आदेशों की पालना कराना सुनिश्चित कराएं, एचपीजीसीएल के प्लांटों को आपरेशन और शट डाउन मामले में पहले से प्लानिंग करें ताकि पावर सप्लाई में किसी प्रकार की कोई रूकावट न आए। एचईआरसी सदस्य मुकेश गर्ग ने लाइन लॉस को घटाने के लिए आवश्यक कदम उठाने पर जोर दिया। डीएचबीवीएन के एमडी पी.सी.मीणा ने कहा कि उपभोक्ताओं को बेहतर सेवा देने के लिए पूर्णतय प्रतिबद्ध है, निश्चित तौर पर उपभोक्ता सेवा रेटिंग में सुधार कर और अधिक श्रेष्ठ सेवा दी जाएगी। इसी प्रकार यूएचबीवीएन के निदेशक अश्विनी रहेजा ने कहा कि यूएचबीवीएन के लाइन लॉस काफी कम हुए हैं और भविष्य में यह सिंगल डिजिट में ही आएंगे। इस अवसर पर एचईआरसी के सचिव नरेंद्र कुमार, विद्युत लोकपाल वीरेंद्र सिंह, निदेशक (टैरिफ) संजय वर्मा सहित एचईआरसी के तमाम वरिष्ठ अधिकारी मौजूद थे।

HERC member visits CGRF Gurugram

- Instructions given for quick redressal

- The main objective of the commission is the satisfaction of electricity consumers.

Gurugram, 26 June, 2023.

Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) member Shri Naresh Sardana and Electricity Ombudsman-cum-Director (Technical) Mr. Virendra Singh held a meeting at the CGRF office on Monday.

The member of the commission examined all the complaints and ordered the redressal of the unresolved complaints. He directed that the complaints of the consumers should be redressed immediately. The commission is committed to resolve the problems of electricity consumers. Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums (CGRFs) have been created to protect the interests of the consumers.

He informed that today there are 27 CGRFs in Haryana, 21 CGRFs at circle level, 4 CGRFs at zonal level and 2 CGRFs at corporate level for redressing the complaints of electricity consumers.

Apart from 16 old complaints, CGRF Corporate Gurugram registered 27 new complaints in the month of June. Out of total 43 complaints, 8 complaints were disposed of this month. Of these, 15 complaints are pending in Gurugram circle-one and Gurugram circle-two, 12 in Faridabad, 3 in Charkhi Dadri, 2 in Bhiwani, one each in Rewari, Sirsa and Hisar, totaling 35 complaints.

It is notable that the CGRF is working at the corporate level to solve the problems of the consumers of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), the circle CGRF at the SE level and the zonal CGRF at the chief engineer level are also redressing the electricity related complaints. These mainly include complaints related to billing, voltage, metering, disconnection, reconnection and new connection, interruptions in power supply, efficiency, safety and non-compliance of orders of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission. The main objective of the commission is the satisfaction of the electricity consumers.

Shri Anil Kumar Vij, Chairman, CGRF Corporate, Mr. V K Aggarwal, Chief Engineer (Operation) Delhi Zone, Mr. Rajkumar Jajoria and Ms. Sushila Kumari were also present during the meeting.

HERC creates CGRF at Corporate, Zonal and Circle level to protect the interest of consumers.

Consumer interest is paramount for HERC.

CGRF hears all complaints related to electricity except power theft.

Chandigarh (October 30, 2022). Protection of the interest of electricity consumers are paramount for Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), there for HERC has created more Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) to provide relief to the electricity consumers in the state so that the complaints of electricity consumers can be redressed quickly. Now both the Electricity Distribution Corporations- Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) have formed CGRFs at the corporate, zonal and circle level. All these CGRFs are hearing and redressing all types of electricity complaints except power theft cases.

As per the Regulation of HERC, the CGRF formed at the zone level will be known as the Zonal Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, CGRF at the Circle level as the Circle Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and the CGRF at the Corporate level as the Corporate Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum.

The Corporate CGRF shall hold its sitting at its headquarters and it deems fit, sitting may also be held at other prominent places like Operational Circles by the Corporate Forum within its jurisdiction for public convenience.

According to the Regulation of HERC, the Chairman of the Zonal CGRF shall be the serving Chief Engineer of concerned distribution zone. Zonal forum shall have at least four sittings in a month or as decided by Commission from time to time.

The Chairman of the Circle CGRF shall be the serving Superintending Engineer of Operation Circle of the concerned distribution circle. Circle forum shall have also at least four sittings in a month or as directed by Commission from time to time.

The Corporate CGRF shall have the jurisdiction to dispose of all the monetary disputes of an amount exceeding RS three lakhs in each case. Zonal CGRF from shall have the jurisdiction to dispose of the complaints involving monetary disputes of an amount exceeding Rs One Lakh and up to Rs Three lakh in each case and Circle CGRF shall have the jurisdiction to dispose of the complaints involving monetary disputes of an amount up to RS one lakh in each case.

The grievances shall be prioritized for redressal of non-supply, connection, disconnection of supply, meter related issues, billing related issues other issues ie deficiency in service and /or performance and or/ safety norms etc and disobeying orders of Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission. However, CGRF will not participate in cases of power theft, unauthorized use of electricity.

Rights of Electricity Consumers

Protection of Rights of Electricity Consumers is one of the key objectives of the Electricity Act, 2003 as well as the National Electricity Policy, 2005. Rights of Electricity Consumers, Grievance Registration and Grievance Redressal Mechanism as enshrined in various Regulations of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) are as follow: -
RIGHT TO KNOW	TARIFF STRUCTURE (w.e.f. 01.04.2024)
Right to know about the functioning of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (Section 86 of the Electricity Act, 2003). Right to know the procedure for obtaining a new connection, disconnection, reconnection, change in load/name/tariff category etc. Right to know about the procedure for billing and payment of electricity bills. Right to know about the Tariff Schedule and Schedule of General Charges approved by the HERC. Right to ensure that the meters installed at the premises are correct. Right to know about the procedure of obtaining Open Access. Right to know about the Standards of Performance including the quality of supply to be maintained and services to be provided by the Distribution Licensee(s). Right to know about the ‘Complaint Handling Procedure and Grievance Redressal Mechanism’. Right to know about the Electricity Supply Code. https://herc.gov.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/R20140108.pdf(459 Kb) Right to know about the functioning of the Power Utilities i.e. HVPNL (Transmission), HPGCL (Generation), UHBVN & DHBVN (Distribution). Right to know the procedure for filing petition before the HERC.	Category of consumers Energy Charges (Paisa / kWh or/ kVAh) Fixed Charge (Rs. per kW per month of the connected load / per kVA of sanctioned contract demand (in case supply is on HT) or as indicated MMC (Rs. per kW per month of the connected load or part thereof) Domestic Supply Category I: (Total consumption up to 100 units per month) 0 - 50 units per month 200/kWh Nil Rs. 115 up to 2 kW and Rs. 70 above 2 kW 51-100 250/kWh Nil Category II: (Total consumption more than 100 units/month and up to 800 units/month)) 0-150 275/kWh Nil Rs. 125 up to 2 kW and Rs. 75 above 2 kW 151-250 525/kWh Nil 251-500 630/kWh Nil 501-800 and above 710/kWh Nil Note: Benefit of Telescopic Tariff shall be restricted up to 800 Units / Months for category II only i.e. 801 and above flat rate of 710 / kWh shall be applicable for the entire consumption. The above Tariff Structure is for Domestic Consumers only. However, the detailed tariff order and Schedule of General Charges for different category(ies) of consumers in the State is available on HERC’s web site: https://herc.gov.in (https://herc.gov.in/WriteReadData/Orders/O20240305a(1).pdf( 3 Mb)) as well as Distribution Licensee’s Website.
PAYMENT MECHANISM	STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE
Payment Mechanism for Electricity Bills: The consumer can make the payment of electricity bill at the designated local collection centers of the Distribution Licensee. The consumer can also make online bill payment using the following modes:- Discoms Mobile App. UHBVN website: https://epayment.uhbvn.org.in/b2cpaybill.aspx DHBVN website: https://epayment.dhbvn.org.in/ Online NEFT / RTGS system. Online Payment through payment gateways (Bill Desk/PayU / Paytm) Single Unified Platform provided by M/s IndiaIdeas Pvt. Ltd. BBPS (PPBL / PayU). The consumer can now view electricity bills, consumption history, bill payment history etc. by using Distribution Licensee’s website and app. Through post office.	It is the right of the consumer to demand the following electricity services as per the Distribution Performance Standards, specified in the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensees and Determination of Compensation) Regulations, 2020 https://herc.gov.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/R20200424.pdf(600 Kb), https://herc.gov.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/CR20211209(1).pdf ( 88 Kb) Normal fuse-off Line break down Underground cable fault Distribution transformer failure Major power failure involving power transformer/ equipment etc. Un-scheduled load shedding Period of scheduled outage Meter complaints Application for new connection/ additional load/ reduction in load Release of temporary connection Change of name Re-classification of consumer category / change of tariff category Redressal of consumer’s complaint regarding billing i.e. non-receipt, wrong bills, etc. Re-connection of supply following dis-connection due to non-payment of bills (disconnection less than 6 months old) Refund of Advance Consumption Deposit/ consumption security, meter security on closure of account Shifting of meter / service connection/ lines/ equipment’s Issue of No Dues Certificates (NOC) Compliance of orders pronounced by Consumer Grievenaces Redressal Forum and Electricity Ombudsman
THREE - TIER GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL STRUCTURE
Consumer Grievance / Complaint New connection, temporary connection, load enhancement, load reduction, permanent dis-connection, re-connection, shifting of meter and service line, name change, category change, billing, reading of meter, metering problems (faulty / burnt / slow / fast / stolen), no current / failure of power supply, voltage fluctuation, load shedding / scheduled outages, non-working of street light, reporting of theft of electricity / unauthorized use of electricity.
TIER – I (GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL CELL OF DISCOMS)
Channels for registration of complaint
DISTRIBUTION LICENSEE
Customer Care Centre 24x7 Toll Free No	Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL)
	1800-180-1550 or Short Code Toll Free No. 1912
	Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (DHBVNL)
	1800-180-4334 or Short Code Toll Free No. 1912
Complaint Handling Centres at Sub-Division / Division / Circle level	09:00 AM to 05:00 PM (Monday-Saturday)
Website	https://www.uhbvn.org.in/web/portal/contact-us
	https://www.dhbvn.org.in/web/portal/contact-us
Mobile App	UHBVN Electricity Bill Payment App
	DHBVN Electricity Bill Payment App
Other mode(s)	For UHBVNL email id: 1912@uhbvn.org.in
	WhatsApp Number: 9815961912
	For DHBVNL email id: 1912@dhbvn.org.in
	WhatsApp Number: 8813999708
Commercial Back Office (CBO) Commercial Back Office (CBO) was set up in UHBVNL at Panchkula and DHBVNL at Hisar. All types of billing & metering complaints / meter change orders (MCO) are being handled online i.e. without any physical intervention. The prime objective was to promptly resolve the billing related complaints, improve customer satisfaction, curb corrupt practices and improve billing accuracy by making the complaint resolution process easy and without any interface between the officials of CBO and electricity consumers / complainant.
Note If complaint is not resolved within the scheduled time or the complainant is not satisfied with the response / resolution provided by the Distribution Licensee, then the complainant may approach the below mentioned officers for further clarification / resolution: - STEP 1: In-charge of Sub-Divisional Office STEP 2: In-charge of Divisional Office STEP 3: Superintending Engineer / Chief Engineer - In-charge of Operation Circle / Operation Zone. If still not satisfied with the resolution, consumer may write to the Head of DISTRIBUTION LICENSEE.
Postal Address for forwarding the complaint in writing
Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited	Managing Director (UHBVN), Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL) Vidyut Sadan, Plot No.: C16, Sector-6, Panchkula, Haryana, India md@uhbvn.org.in
Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited	Managing Director (DHBVN), Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (DHBVNL) Head Office: Vidyut Sadan, Vidyut Nagar, Hisar-125005 md@dhbvn.org.in
TIER – II Consumers Grievances Redressal Forum (CGRF)
If complainant is not satisfied either with the response of the Distribution Licensee or there is no response from the Distribution Licensee within the stipulated time, then the complainant may approach CGRF. Protection of the interest of electricity consumers are paramount for Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), therefore,  HERC has created more Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums (CGRFs)  to provide relief to the electricity consumers in the state  so that the complaints of electricity consumers can be redressed quickly. Now both the Electricity Distribution Corporations - Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) have formed CGRFs at the corporate, zonal and circle level. All these CGRFs are hearing and redressing  all types of electricity complaints except power theft cases.	Consumer Grievenaces Redressal Forum for UHBVNL consumers, Flat nos. 519-522, 1st floor, Power Colony, Industrial Area, Phase-II, Panchkula-134113 (Haryana) Phone No.  0172-2990341, 2990343. Email ID  cgrf@uhbvn.org.in, Website https://www.uhbvn.org.in/web/portal/consumer-grievenaces-redressal-forum
	Consumer Grievanaces Redressal Forum for DHBVNL consumers HETRI House, IDC Area, Sector-16, Mehreuli Road, Gurugram-122007 Email ID cgrf@dhbvn.org.in, Website https://www.dhbvn.org.in/web/portal/cgrf-members
TIER – III Electricity Ombudsman
The complainant aggrieved by non-redressal of his grievance by the CGRF, order passed by CGRF or non-implementation of the orders of CGRF by the Distribution Licensee, may make a representation to the Ombudsman at the following address: The Electricity Ombudsman c/o Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission Bays 33-36, Sector 4, Panchkula-134112 Haryana, INDIA Phone: +91 (172) 2572299, EPABX: 2563052, 2582532 E-Mail: eo.herc@nic.in Non-implementation of the orders of Ombudsman shall be deemed to be a violation of the Regulations of the Commission and shall be liable for appropriate action under Section 142 and 146 of the Electricity Act, 2003. NOTE: However, the cases of theft and unauthorised use of electricity, offenses and penalties as specified under Section 126 and Section 135 to 139 of the Electricity Act, 2003, accidents and inquiries as under Section 161 of the act will not be considered by the forum.
Issued in Public Interest by Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission Bays 33-36, Sector 4, Panchkula-134112 Haryana, INDIA Phone: +91 (172) 2572299, EPABX: 2563052, 2582532 E-Mail: herc-chd@nic.in Website www.herc.gov.in

HERC conducts SAC meeting before ARR order, seek members’ suggestions on Public petitions

Chandigarh, January 18, 2022 ( ). The 26th meeting of the State Advisory Committee (SAC) was held at the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) office in Panchkula on Tuesday where the feedback regarding Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) petitions filed in HERC for the coming financial year of the four power utilities of Haryana were taken.

Earlier, the public hearings on ARR Petition filed by power utilities were conducted on January 12. After which, the SAC meeting was called by HERC to seek feedback from stakeholders, Haryana Power Generation (HPGCL), Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN), Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) before the release of ARR order.

The SAC meeting was presided over by the HERC Chairman Shri R.K. Pachnanda, in which HERC Member Shri Naresh Sardana, Commission’s Secretary Mr. Jay Parkash, Director (Tariff) Shri Sanjay Varma, Director (Technical) Shri Virendra Singh were present. While the other members of SAC joined the meeting through virtual mode.

HERC Chairman Shri R.K. Pachnanda said that the main objective of this meeting lies in the interests of electricity consumers that make it essential to invite the suggestions from all various stakeholders before making a rational ARR order.

“Earlier the SAC meeting was held on November 25 in the Physical mode but due to COVID-19, this meeting is being held virtually,” he added.

The first Chairman of HERC Shri V.S. Alavadi also sent his suggestions in writing, while former HERC chairman Shri R.N. Parashar said that there is a need to rationalise the power subsidy further.

In this meeting, senior officials of HPGCL, HVPN, UHBVN, DHBVN and Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) gave their brief suggestions. During the meeting, Commission Chairman Shri R.K. Pachnanda and Member Shri Naresh Sardana said that all the petitions related to ARR of Power Utilities have been uploaded on the HERC website a month ago, so whatever suggestions have come, will be considered in ARR order.

दिसंबर 2021, एक नजर में (हरियाणा के बिजली निगमों के बारे में)

- यहां हर गांव में 1970 में बिजली पहुंच गई थी।

- हरियाणा में जहां 1967 में सभी स्रोतों से कुल 343 मेगावाट बिजली उपलब्ध थी, लेकिन जो अब बढक़र 2021 में 12175.17 मेगावाट हो गई है।

- हरियाणा में जहां 1966 में 3 लाख 11 हजार 914 बिजली उपभोक्ता थे जो अब बढक़र 2021 में 72 लाख 63 हजार 677 हो गए हैं।

- 1966 में जहां हरियाणा में 20 हजार 190 कृषि के लिए उपयोग में आने वाले टयूबवेल के बिजली कनेक्शन थे जो अब 2021 में बढक़र 6 लाख 57 हजार 957 हो गए हैं।

- 1966 में हरियाणा में मात्र 9749 ओद्यौगिक क्षेत्र के बिजली कनेक्शन थे जो अब 2021 में बढक़र 1 लाख 16 हजार 233 हो गए हैं।

- हरियाणा में जहां 1966 में प्रति व्यक्ति 48 यूनिट बिजली की खपत थी जो अब बढक़र 1805 यूनिट हो गई है।

- बिजली उपभोक्ताओं के हितों के संरक्षण, बिजली दरों को न्यायसंगत, परामर्शी और पारदर्शी नीति निर्माण, कुशल और पर्यावरण की दृष्टि से अनुकूल नीतियों को बढ़ावा देने के उद्देश्य के लिए 1998 में हरियाणा पावर रिफोर्म एक्ट लागू हुआ, इसके बाद 16 अगस्त 1998 को हरियाणा बिजली विनियामक आयोग (एचईआरसी) का गठन किया गया, श्री वी.एस. एलावादी (सेवानिवृत्त आईएएस), इसके पहले अध्यक्ष बने, जिन्होंने 17 अगस्त, 1998 को शपथ ली।

- हरियाणा पावर रिफोर्म एक्ट के तहत ही 1998 में बिजली क्षेत्र का पुनर्गठन किया गया था, इसके तहत पहले 14 अगस्त 1998 को हरियाणा राज्य बिजली बोर्ड के स्थान पर दो कंपनियां बनी-हरियाणा विद्युत प्रसारण निगम (एचवीपीएन) और हरियाणा बिजली उत्पादन निगम (एचपीजीसीएल)।

- उसके बाद 1 जुलाई 1999 को हरियाणा विद्युत प्रसारण निगम से दो कंपनियां अलग बनाई गई, जो केवल बिजली वितरण का कार्य करेंगी - उत्तर हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (यूएचबीवीएन) और दक्षिण हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (डीएचबीवीएन), यानी यूएचबीवीएन के अंतर्गत अंबाला, पंचकूला, यमुनानगर, कुरूक्षेत्र, कैथल, करनाल, पानीपत, सोनीपत, रोहतक और झज्जर सहित दस बिजली सर्कल हैं, इन दस सर्कलों में 32 डिविजन हैं और 128 सब डिविजिन हैं, इसी प्रकार डीएचबीवीएन के अंतर्गत हिसार, फतेहाबाद, जींद, नारनौल, रेवाड़ी, भिवानी, गुरुग्राम-1, गुरूग्राम-2, फरीदाबाद, पलवल और सिरसा सहित 11 सर्कल, 30 डिविजन और 129 सब डिविजन हैं। बिजली उपभोक्ताओं को बिजली बिलिंग, मीटरिंग, वोल्टेज, कनेक्शन, बिजली आपूर्ति से संबंधित शिकायतों के निवारण के लिए उत्तर हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम का बिजली उपभोक्ता शिकायत निवारण मंच (सीजीआरएफ) कुरूक्षेत्र में और दक्षिण हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम का सीजीआरएफ गुरुग्राम में स्थित है, वैसे दोनों सीजीआरएफ के चेयरमैन और सदस्य संबंधित सर्कल में समय-समय पर जाकर बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायत सुनते हैं, हरियाणा विद्युत विनियामक आयोग के सख्त निर्देश हैं कि बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायतों का तुरंत निपटारा किया जाए, इसके अलावा यदि बिजली उपभोक्ता सीजीआरएफ के निर्णय से संतुष्ट नहीं होते तो वे पंचकूला स्थित हरियाणा विद्युत लोकपाल के कार्यालय में शिकायत दर्ज करा सकते हैं।

- हरियाणा विद्युत प्रसारण निगम (एचवीपीएन) का कार्य बिजली के ट्रांसमिशन का है, एचवीपीएन के 422 सब स्टेशन हैं, जिनमें 400 केवी के 7, 220 केवी के 83, 132 केवी के 187 और 66 केवी के 145 सब स्टेशन हैं।

- हरियाणा बिजली उत्पादन निगम (एचपीजीसीएल) कुल 2372.40 मेगावाट बिजली का उत्पादन करती है, जिसमें से पानीपत थर्मल प्लांट से 500 मेगावाट बिजली का, राजीव गांधी थर्मल प्लांट खेदड़ से 1200 मेगावाट, दीनबंधु छोटूराम थर्मल प्लांट, यमुनानगर से 600 मेगावाट, वेस्टर्न यमुना कैनाल से 62.4 मेगावाट हाइड्रो तथा पानीपत पावर प्रोजेक्ट से 10 मेगावाट सोलर का बिजली उत्पादन होता है।

- बिजली उपभोक्ता के हित और उसकी संतुष्टि सबसे पहले: एचईआरसी

- खराब मीटरों को तुरंत बदल कर स्मार्ट/प्रीपेड मीटर लगाएं

- आने वाला समय नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा का, इस दिशा में सकारात्मकता के साथ आगे बढें

- बिजली उपभोक्ताओं के लिए अभी और भी बहुत कुछ करने की आवश्यकता, उस दिशा में अवश्य पहल होनी चाहिए

- एचईआरसी की स्टेट एडवाइजरी कमेटी की 25 वीं मीटिंग में आयोग ने बिजली निगमों के अधिकारियों को दिए यह निर्देश

- मीटिंग में बिजली वितरण निगमों के एमडी ने कहा कि छह साल में 21 लाख 36 हजार नए कनेक्शन दिए गए

- बिजली वितरण निगमों को करीब 80 प्रतिशत राजस्व ऑनलाइन माध्यमों से मिलता है

- 08 अक्तूबर 2021 तक करनाल, पानीपत, पंचकूला, फरीदाबाद और गुरुग्राम में 3 लाख 37 हजार 919 स्मार्ट मीटर लगाए गए

- 1 नवंबर 2021 तक 5487 गांवों में 24 घंटे बिजली उपलब्ध

- इस वित्तीय वर्ष में बिजली वितरण निगमों का लाभ 636 करोड़ 67 लाख रुपए

- बिजली वितरण निगमों का एटीएडंसी लॉस 16.22 प्रतिशत

चंडीगढ़, 25 नवंबर, 2021 ( )। हरियाणा विद्युत विनियामक आयोग (एचईआरसी) ने बिजली वितरण निगमों को निर्देश दिए हैं कि बिजली उपभोक्ता के हित और उसकी संतुष्टि सबसे पहले है, इसके लिए उचित कदम उठाएं, एक तो खराब मीटरों को तुरंत बदल कर उनके स्थान पर स्मार्ट/प्रीपेड मीटर लगाएं, आने वाला समय नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा का है, इसलिए इस दिशा में सकारात्मकता के साथ आगे बढें, साथ ही अभी बिजली उपभोक्ताओं के लिए और भी बहुत कुछ करने की आवश्यकता है, उस दिशा में अवश्य पहल होनी चाहिए।

एचईआरसी के पंचकूला स्थित कार्यालय में गुरुवार सायं 25 वीं राज्य सलाहकार समिति (एसएसी) की बैठक हुई, इसकी अध्यक्षता एचईआरसी के अध्यक्ष श्री आर.के.पचनन्दा ने की। इस अवसर पर एचईआरसी सदस्य श्री नरेश सरदाना, एचईआरसी के पूर्व अध्यक्ष श्री आर.एन. पराशर, बिजली निगमों के प्रबंध निदेशक तथा विभिन्न श्रेणी से संबंधित बिजली उपभोक्ताओं का प्रतिनिधित्व करने वाले एसएसी के सदस्य मौजूद थे।

इस मीटिंग में उत्तर हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (यूएचबीवीएन), दक्षिण हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (डीएचबीवीएन) की इस वित्त वर्ष की वित्तीय स्थिति, रिन्यूएबल परचेज ऑब्लिगेशन (आरपीओ), कुसुम स्कीम, फ्यूल सरचार्ज एडजस्टमेंट (एफएसए), एचपीजीसीएल के थर्मल प्लांटों के संचालन और बिजली कनेक्शनों के संबंध में गहन विचार विमर्श हुआ।

इस मीटिंग में हरियाणा विद्युत प्रसारण निगम (एचवीपीएन) के एमडी श्री टी.एल. सत्यप्रकाश ने कहा कि एचवीपीएन बेहतरीन कार्य कर रही है। इसके बाद उत्तर हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (यूएचबीवीएन) और दक्षिण हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (डीएचबीवीएन) के एमडी श्री पी.सी. मीणा ने कहा कि अप्रैल 2015 से लेकर 31 अक्तूबर 2021 तक 21 लाख 36 हजार नए बिजली कनेक्शन दिए गए हैं। यूएचबीवीएन और डीएचबीवीएन को बिजली बिलों के रूप में जो राजस्व मिलता है, वह करीब 80 प्रतिशत ऑनलाइन माध्यमों से मिलता है, 08 अक्तूबर 2021 तक करनाल, पानीपत, पंचकूला, फरीदाबाद और गुरुग्राम में 3 लाख 37 हजार 919 स्मार्ट मीटर लगाए गए हैं। वहीं, 1 नवंबर 2021 तक 5487 गांवों में 24 घंटे बिजली उपलब्ध, उन्होंने कहा कि इस वित्तीय वर्ष में यूएचबीवीएन और डीएचबीवीएन का लाभ 636 करोड़ 67 लाख रुपए है। इतना ही नहीं इन दोनों बिजली वितरण निगमों का एग्रीगेट ट्रांसमिशन एंड कार्मशियल लॉस (एटीएडंसी) 16.22 प्रतिशत है, जो अपने आप में एक बड़ी उपलब्धि है। आरपीओ के निर्धारित लक्ष्य को हासिल करने के लिए निरंतर प्रयास जारी है।

मीटिंग में हरियाणा बिजली उत्पादन निगम (एचपीजीसीएल) के एमडी श्री मोहम्मद शाइन ने कहा कि एचपीजीसीएल को आजकल जिन चुनौतियों का सामना करना पड़ रहा है, उनको जल्द ठीक कर लिया जाएगा। हरेडा के एमडी श्री हनीफ कुरैशी ने कहा कि हरेडा ने उत्कृष्ट कार्य किया है और आगे भी इसी गति से अपने कार्य को करती रहेगी, कुसुम स्कीम के भी बेहतरीन परिणाम आए हैं, यह स्कीम किसानों को खुशहाल करने में काफी सार्थक साबित हो रही है। उद्यमियों की तरफ से पानीपत के उद्यमी श्री विनोद खंडेलवाल ने अपने क्षेत्र की कुछ समस्या रखी तो आयोग ने बिजली वितरण निगमों के एमडी को इन सभी समस्याओं के समाधान के लिए निर्देश दिए। एचईआरसी के पूर्व अध्यक्ष आर.एन.पराशर ने भी बिजली के क्षेत्र में आ रही चुनौतियों के विषय पर अंतरराष्ट्रीय परिप्रेक्ष्य के कई उदाहरण देकर कैसे इन चुनौतियों पर काबू पाया जाए, इस पर अपने सुझाव दिए। इस मीटिंग में एचईआरसी के सचिव नरेद्र कुमार ने मंच संचालन में अपनी भूमिका निभाई। एसएसी की इस महत्वपूर्ण मीटिंग में बिजली निगमों , हरेडा व एचईआरसी के तमाम वरिष्ठ अधिकारी मौजूद थे।

बिजली उपभोक्ताओं के हित सर्वोपरि की भावना से काम करें: एचईआरसी

- एचईआरसी के सदस्य नरेश सरदाना सीजीआरएफ के कार्य की समीक्षा करने के लिए स्वयं गुरुग्राम पहुंचे

- उन्होंने एक जुलाई से 30 सितंबर तक सीजीआरएफ के पास आई सभी शिकायतों का अवलोकन किया

- इस वित्तीय वर्ष की द्वितीय तिमाही में सीजीआरएफ के पास कुल 214 शिकायतें आई, जिनमें ज्यादातर बिजली बिलिंग से संबंधित थी गुरुग्राम,

12 नवंबर, 2021()। हरियाणा इलेक्ट्रिसिटी रेगुलेटरी कमीशन (एचईआरसी) के सदस्य नरेश सरदाना ने कहा कि उपभोक्ता शिकायत निवारण मंच (सीजीआरएफ) हो या फिर बिजली वितरण निगम के अधिकारी हों सभी को बिजली उपभोक्ताओं के हित सर्वोपरि की भावना से काम करना चाहिए। किसी भी सूरत में बिजली उपभोक्ताओं के हितों की अनदेखी नहीं होनी चाहिए, तथा एक टीम व कर्तव्यपरायणता की भावना से काम कर एक बेहतरीन उदाहरण पेश करना होगा। एचईआरसी के सदस्य श्री सरदाना शुक्रवार को स्वयं दक्षिण हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (डीएचबीवीएन) के सीजीआरएफ के कार्य की समीक्षा करने के लिए गुरुग्राम पहुंचे। उन्होंने इस वित्तीय वर्ष की द्वितीय तिमाही में सीजीआरएफ के पास आई सभी 214 शिकायतों का अच्छे से अवलोकन किया, ज्यादातर शिकायतें बिजली बिलों से संबंधित थी। उन्होंने कहा कि एचईआरसी के स्पष्ट निर्देश हैं कि दोनों निगमों के लिए गठित सीजीआरएफ संबंधित सर्कल में जाकर बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायत सुनेगा तथा उनका निवारण करेगा। इसके लिए यह सुनिश्चित होना चाहिए कि जिस सर्कल में सीजीआरएफ की टीम दौरा करे वहां पर टीम के कार्यक्रम की पहले से बिजली उपभोक्ताओं को अच्छे से सूचना होनी चाहिए। उन्होंने सीजीआरएफ के चेयरमैन संजीव चौपड़ा को कहा कि बगैर किसी योजना के भी किसी सर्कल में जाकर बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायतें सुनें। इस अवसर पर विद्युत लोकपाल वीरेंद्र सिंह भी उनके साथ थे। एचईआरसी सदस्य ने डीएचबीवीएन के गुरूग्राम में बने एक 33 केवी के स्विचिंग सब स्टेशन व सीजीआरएफ के नवनिर्मित कार्यालय का भी निरीक्षण किया। उन्होंने डीएचबीवीएन के अधिकारियों को भी इस संबंध में कुछ जरूरी दिशा निर्देश दिए। यहां यह बता दें कि सीजीआरएफ बिलिंग, वोल्टेज, मीटरिंग से संबंधित शिकायतें, गुणवत्ता, विश्वसनीयता में कमी, सुरक्षा, एचईआरसी के आदेशों की अवेहलना, बिजली आपूर्ति में बाधाएं संबंधी शिकायतें सुनता है। यदि बिजली उपभोक्ता सीजीआरएफ के फैसले से संतुष्ट नहीं होता तो फिर वह विद्युत लोकपाल के यहां अपनी शिकायत देता है, जिस पर बाद में विद्युत लोकपाल अपना निर्णय सुनाता है। वहीं, डीएचबीवीएन के सीजीआरएफ के पास 1 जुलाई से 30 सितंबर तक 124 नई शिकायतें आई थी तथा इनके अतिरिक्त 90 शिकायतें गत तिमाही की लंबित थी। इनमें से 140 शिकायतें बिजली बिलिंग, 74 शिकायतें अन्य मामलों से संबंधित थी। डीएचबीवीएन में फरीदाबाद, पलवल, गुरुग्राम-1, गुरुग्राम-2, नारनौल, रेवाड़ी, भिवानी, हिसार, फतेहाबाद, सिरसा और जींद सहित 11 सर्कल हैं तथा 38 लाख 29 हजार 955 बिजली उपभोक्ता हैं।

HERC has issued ARR/Tariff Order of 2021-22

- Big relief to 70,54,796 electricity consumers of Haryana, out of which 32,82,824 are of UHBVN and 37,71,972 consumers of DHBVN.

- No further increase in electricity charges, rather many categories given major relief.

- New electricity charges to be applicable from April 1, new tariffs will be very beneficial in bringing the industry and economy back on track.

- Major relief was given to the Agro industries last year. - Major relief is given to industrial units in Time of Day (TOD) and Time of Use (TOU) this year.

- Bulk Supply (Domestic) fixed charges also reduced.

- For crematoriums and burial grounds the lowest energy charges of the HT / LT supply shall be the tariff and no fixed charges shall be levied.

- Electrical vehicle charging stations also given concessions.

- For places of worship the applicable tariff shall be at a flat rate of Rs 6.90/ unit.

- Railway/DMRC also given benefit of 10 paise/ unit in energy charges and Rs 10 / KVA in the demand charges.

- State government subsidy burden reduced, the return on equity allowed by the commission to the Haryana Power Utilities amounting to Rs 885.823 crores shall be adjusted against the subsidy payable by the state government.

- Advocate's chambers to be charged less.

- HT industrial consumers fixed charges decreased from 170 / kVA per month to Rs. 165 / kVA per month.

- HT industry and HT NDS category to be merged, the applicable tariff for the earlier NDS (HT) has been reduced from Rs 6.75/ unit to Rs 6.65/ unit.

- Also energy charges for domestic consumer category - 1 whose consumption is 100 units / month to pay Rs 2 for 0 to 50 units as earlier and Rs 2.50 for 51 to 100 units.

- For domestic category - 2 having consumption from 100 units to 800 units/ month to pay Rs 2.50 / unit for 0 to 150 units, Rs 5.25/ unit for 151 to 250 units will be the energy charges.

- HERC Has approved ARR for 2021-22 to Discoms 29,986.36 crores, they proposed 32,543.78 crores.

Chandigarh, (30 March, 2021). Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has issued Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR)/Tariff Order applicable w.e.f. 01.04.2021 for the Distribution Companies i.e. Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), which is available on the Commissions website i.e. www.herc.gov.in.

Given the COVID – 19 Pandemic and the need to put the Industry / Economy back on track, the Commission has approved major relief to the electricity consumers of the State. The last tariff hike of about 13% was ordered in the FY 2013-14 and 8.5% hike, on an average, was approved by the HERC in the FY 2015-16. Thereafter, the consumer tariff has been retained at the same levels except reduction in tariff for the Domestic Consumers falling in category-I in the FY 2020-21.

Bulk Supply (Domestic) To give some relief to the Bulk (DS) Consumers, the fixed charges have been reduced from Rs. 100 / kW per month of the recorded demand to Rs. 90/kW/Month of the recorded demand.

Domestic Supply Tariff – Remains un-changed, however, the number of categories has been reduced to 2 from previous 3 Categories. Concessional tariff for 0-50 Units has been retained at Rs. 2.0 / Unit and 51 to 100 Units at 2.50 / Unit against CoS of Rs. 6.90 / Unit.

Crematorium / burial grounds - Hence, the Commission decides that the lowest energy charges of the LT Supply or HT Supply, as the case may be, shall be the tariff. No fixed charges shall be levied in such cases.

Advocate’s Chamber (Court premises) - Hence, for the Advocate’s Chamber within the Court Complex shall be charged at the CoS of LT Supply i.e. Rs. 6.90 / kWh as determined in the present Order instead of NDS / Commercial Rates of Rs. 7.05 / Unit for load above 5 kW up to 20 kW i.e. a reduction of 15 Paise per unit.

Time of Day Tariff -The concessional tariff, for incremental consumption, from November 2021 to March 2022 (for time slot of 21:00 to 05:30) has been considerable reduced so as to encourage HT Consumers to shift load from peak to off peak hours and thereby reduce their own average cost of power used in the production processes as well as avoid scheduling of expensive power during the peak hours / period by the Discoms, thereby reducing the average cost of power purchase of the Discoms as well.

Time of day / Time of use Tariff

a) HT Consumers on 11/33 Kv : Rs 4.25/kVAh

b) HT Consumers on 66 kV and above : Rs 3.75/kVAh

Electric Vehicles Charging Station - The Commission has considered the need for promoting faster adoption of Electric Vehicles in Haryana and approves the concessional tariff for Electric Vehicles Charging Station of Rs. 5.55 / kWh or Rs. 5.00 / kVAh. The Fixed Charges shall be Rs. 100 / kW / kVA per month as proposed. Additionally, the energy charges as per TOD / TOU tariff has also be applicable during the off-peak demand period (November to March) between 9.00 P.M. and 05.30 A.M as applicable to the HT Supply consumers on the total consumption, instead of incremental consumption, during the said time period.

Tariff for “places of worship” The Commission, is aware of the important role played by places of worship in providing support to their followers in difficult times like the covid pandemic and also that the places of worship play a significant role in cultural reformation. Accordingly, the Commission approves, the relaxations / concession on revenue neutral basis. Henceforth, the applicable tariff shall be a flat rate of Rs. 6.90 / kWh i.e. equivalent to Cost of Supply of LT Supply.

Agro Industries - The Commission, after considering the requirement of promoting agro based industries in the MSME sector, introduced a new category of consumers including Pack House, Grading, Packing, Pre-Cooling and Ripening Chamber, Honey Bee, Honey Processing, Tissue culture, Zinga and Fish Farming, Poultry Farm, Pig Farm, Milk Chilling Plant and Cold Storage, Mushroom Farming up to 20 kW load and determined their single part tariff of Rs. 4.75 / kWh.

HT Supply Consumers - The Commission, in order to grant some relief to the consumes taking supply at HT Voltage has reduced the Fixed Charges from Rs. 170 / kVA per month to Rs. 165 / kVA per month of the Contract Demand. This would provide some relief to the HT Industrial Consumers as the incidence of fixed charge shall be lower. NDS (HT) has been merged with the HT Supply, hence the applicable tariff for the earlier NDS (HT) has been reduced from Rs. 6.75 / Unit to Rs. 6.65 / Unit.

Railway (Traction) Supply / DMRC - Since the Railways (Traction) Tariff and DMRC Tariff category has been merged with HT Supply. Such consumer shall get the benefit of 10 Paise / Unit in Energy Charges and Rs. 10 / kVA in the Demand Charges.

Reduced burden of Subsidy on State Govt. In a major decision, the Commission has ordered that the return on equity allowed by it to the Haryana Power Utilities amounting to Rs. 885.823 Crore shall be adjusted against the subsidy payable by the State Government. Thereby reducing the financial burden of subsidy on the State Exchequer.

Distribution Losses - The Commission, during the previous finical year had allowed distribution loss of 18.5% due to impact of Pandemic in reduction of HT and NDS sales with lower loss levels vis-à-vis DS and other sales with higher loss levels. As the sales has almost got back to the normal levels, the Commission has restored the distribution loss level to 15% i.e. pre-pandemic levels, thereby reducing the cost of power delivered to the electricity consumers.

Other Relief - HT industrial consumers/Gurugram Industrial Association, while interacting with the Commission, flagged serious issues regarding several notices issued by the Discoms asking them to deposit huge amount of money on account of fractional use of power for NDS activity in HT industrial premises. In nutshell, the grievance is summed up that the connection has been released by the Discoms in Industrial Estate under HT industry Supply category, however, some of the consumers have also set-up either offices or packaging unit ancillaries to their manufacturing processes. These ancillary activities carried out in the industrial estate having HT Industrial connection are being treated, by the Discoms, as unauthorised use of power because there is different tariff and charges determined by the Commission for HT NDS category of consumers. The Commission has deliberated upon the issue and in furtherance of the policy of the Government for ‘ease of doing business’ and no litigation policy, it has been decided to merge HT industry category and HT NDS category into one category i.e. HT Supply. The Commission is of the view that two categories having been merged, the mandate given to the Commission for reducing number of categories is also served. Since, during these testing times of Covid-19 pandemic where the HT industrial consumers are fighting as Corona Warriors to revive the economy, the Commission believes that such small steps would go a long way in strengthening the backbone of the industry and revival of the economy. Having observed that there are large number of such cases across Haryana, the Commission orders that as a onetime measure, this issue be settled by charging difference in the applicable tariff without levy of penalty as on the date of issuance of the notice(s). The Discoms have been directed that list of all such cases, in which notices have been issued, for recovery of amount on this account, be prepared and report regarding settlement of the same be sent to the Commission within 2 months of this order.

डीएचबीवीएन-सीजीआरएफ आफिस अब पूर्णतय गुरुग्राम शिफ्ट

- एनसीआर क्षेत्र के बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की अधिक संख्या को ध्यान में रखते हुए लिया गया यह निर्णय

- सीजीआरएफ के चेयरमैन गुरुग्राम में ही बैठ रहे थे, लेकिन सीजीआरएफ कार्यालय का रिकार्ड हिसार में था

- लेकिन अब 18 मार्च से सीजीआरएफ का पूरी तरह से रिकार्ड हिसार से गुरुग्राम शिफ्ट हो गया

- सीजीआरएफ बिलिंग, मीटरिंग, कनेक्शन, वोल्टेज, बिजली आपूर्ति में बाधाओं से संबंधित शिकायतों का निपटारा करता है

चंडीगढ़, (23 मार्च, 2021) । दक्षिण हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (डीएचबीवीएन) के बिजली उपभोक्ता शिकायत निवारण मंच (सीजीआरएफ) का कार्यालय अब पूर्णतय गुरुग्राम शिफ्ट हो गया है। एनसीआर क्षेत्र के बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की अधिक संख्या को ध्यान में रखते हुए यह निर्णय लिया गया है। हरियाणा विद्युत विनियामक आयोग (एचईआरसी) के निर्देश हैं कि बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायतों का तुरंत समाधान किया जाए।

उल्लेखनीय है कि हरियाणा में बिजली वितरण का कार्य दक्षिण हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम और उत्तर हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम (यूएचबीवीएन) के पास है। दक्षिण हरियाणा बिजली वितरण निगम के सीजीआरएफ का आफिस पहले हिसार में था, लेकिन जब कुछ माह पहले सीजीआरएफ के चेयरमैन और सदस्यों की नियुक्ति की गई थी, उसी समय एचईआरसी की ओर से निर्देश था कि सीजीआरएफ का कार्यालय अब गुरुग्राम में होगा, वैसे सीजीआरएफ की टीम गुरुग्राम में ही बैठ रही थी, लेकिन उनका रिकार्ड हिसार में ही था। अब 18 मार्च से सीजीआरएफ का पूरा रिकार्ड गुरुग्राम शिफ्ट हो गया है। सीजीआरएफ का कार्यालय सेक्टर 16, महरौली रोड, गुरुग्राम में बनाया गया है। हांलाकि, सीजीआरएफ की टीम हर बिजली सर्कल में जाकर बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायत सुनती है। जिस सर्कल में सीजीआरएफ की टीम जाती है, वहां के बिजली उपभोक्ताओं को इस सबंध में अवगत कराया जाता है। डीएचबीवीएन में फरीदाबाद, पलवल, गुरुग्राम-1, गुरुग्राम-2, नारनौल, रेवाड़ी, भिवानी, हिसार, फतेहाबाद, सिरसा और जींद सहित 11 सर्कल हैं। इन सभी सर्कलों में सीजीआरएफ की टीम स्वयं जाकर बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की शिकायतों को सुनती है और उनका निवारण करती है। एचईआरसी के निर्देश हैं कि बिजली बिलिंग, वोल्टेज, मीटरिंग से संबंधित शिकायतें, गुणवत्ता, विश्वसनीयता में कमी, कार्यकुशलता, सुरक्षा, एचईआरसी के आदेशों की अवहेलना, बिजली आपूर्ति में बाधाओं से संबंधित कोई शिकायत है तो उसका समाधान सीजीआरएफ करेगा। डीएचबीवीएन में 37 लाख 71 हजार 972 बिजली उपभोक्ता है। जिसमें फरीदाबाद सर्कल में 5 लाख 79 हजार 230, पलवल सर्कल में 3 लाख 44 हजार 30, गुरुग्राम सर्कल-एक में 3 लाख 2 हजार 896, गुरुग्राम सर्कल-दो में 2 लाख 69 हजार 475, रेवाड़ी सर्कल में 2 लाख 87 हजार 208 तथा नारनौल सर्कल में 2 लाख 52 हजार 470 बिजली उपभोक्ता हैं। एनसीआर क्षेत्र में बिजली उपभोक्ताओं की इसी अधिक संख्या को ध्यान में रखते हुए ही सीजीआरएफ का आफिस पूर्णतय गुरुग्राम शिफ्ट किया गया है।

Target to install 2 million more smart meters
UHBVN MD gave this information in SAC meeting of HERC
Immediate redressal of complaints relating to electricity billing: HERC
HPGCL needs a complete overhaul of its functioning keeping in mind the current scenario.
Chandigarh, (5 February, 2021). The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has advised Haryana Power Generation Company Limited and power distributions companies to change their present scenario of power supply using more efficient technology tools including installing smart and prepaid meters, electricity billing, pending connections and Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum etc.
A decision in this effect has been taken in a meeting of State Advisory Committee (SAC) of HERC held under the chairmanship of its Member Mr. Pravindra Singh Chauhan.
In the SAC meeting, HPGCL got into a lot of brainstorming session were held on many topics including changing the efficiency of the current scenario to make it more efficient.
It is noteworthy that meeting of the SAC is mandatory after hearing the petitions of the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) of the power companies. This virtual meeting was organized in this connection. At the meeting, HERC Member Pravindra Singh Chauhan instructed the Managing Directors of power distribution corporations that the complaints regarding electricity billing should be redressed soon, as well as to release the pending connections as well.
Whereas, HERC Member Naresh Sardana asked about smart and prepaid meters, Shashank Anand, MD, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) had informed that till now 2.40 lakh smart meters have been installed, previously, where the target was to install 10 lakh smart meters, but now it has been targeted to install 20 lakh more smart meters, i.e. 10-10 lakh more smart meters will be installed in both power distribution corporations. Tenders will be made soon for this.
Dr. Balkar Singh, MD, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) told in the meeting that best steps have been taken for the satisfaction of the electricity consumers here, whereas they now have 15,822 pending power connections. In the meeting Mohammed Shayin, MD, Haryana Power Generation Corporation (HPGCL), informed regarding the challenges faced by HPGCL, he said that all these challenges have been overcome to a great extent. In order to protect the environment in thermal plants, swadeshi companies are being given the task of installing this equipment under Atmanirbhar Bharat. In this meeting, HERC's first Chairman V. S. Ailawadi said that HPGCL is in great need to make more changes in its functioning keeping in mind the current scenario, and he said about installing smart and prepaid meters. Consumers will be benefited as well as accuracy will come with extensive improvement in billing collection of electricity distribution corporations. In the meeting, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPN) MD T.L. Satyaprakash said that HVPN is doing excellent work. In this meeting, G.N. Mangla of Gurgaon Industrial Association said that there is a need for wide publicity about the works of the Electricity Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) and expressed complete satisfaction over providing the best power supply. On this, HERC Member Pravindra Singh Chauhan directed the MD of UHBVN and DHBVN to give wide publicity to the consumers about the functions of CGRF. HERC Member Naresh Sardana said that all complaints related to electricity are heard in CGRF except in cases related to power theft. On this, Member Pravindra Singh Chauhan said that if any power consumer is not satisfied with the decision of CGRF, then he can appeal to the Electricity Ombudsman at Panchkula. In the meeting, P.K. Nautiyal of HAREDA said that the power distribution corporations will have to push for more initiatives to achieve the target of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO). In the meeting, Electricity Ombudsman Virender Singh, HERC Secretary Anil Doon, Director (Tariff) Sanjay Varma, other officers of HERC was present in the conference room and other members of SAC were virtually connected.

HERC’s Public Hearing: Electricity consumers in Haryana increased to 70.46 lakh
Commission directed to release new pending connection at the earliest
Chandigarh, (29 January, 2021). The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has conducted a virtual public hearing on the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) petition of Haryana's power distribution companies - Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN). The suggestions and objections of the officials of the distribution companies were recorded through the hearing.
It is noteworthy that UHBVN had a public hearing on Thursday followed by DHBVN in the afternoon. HERC Members Sh. Pravindra Singh Chauhan and Naresh Sardana listened carefully to the suggestions and objections from both sides.
In the morning, UHBVN presented its financial position through the power point presentation, after which UHBVN MD Sh. Shashank Anand spoke on behalf of the Nigam. During the hearing, HERC Members Pravindra Singh Chauhan and Naresh Sardana gave necessary guidelines on many topics including smart meters, consumer complaints center, electricity billing collection to the officials. In the virtual public hearing, all suggestions and objections received from the public were also carefully listened to and recorded.  
In the public hearing of DHBVN at 3 pm, a PowerPoint presentation was also presented before the Commission. It was informed that the number of electricity consumers has increased to 70.46 lakh in Haryana, out of which 32.84 lakh are of UHBVN and 37.62 lakh electricity consumers of DHBVN.
When DHBVN MD Sh. Balkar Singh was presenting details of DHBVN's electricity consumers, the Commission directed them to release new pending connections, as well. It was informed that on October 1, 2020, a list of new connections of 60,587 new electricity consumers was pending with UHBVN while 24,058 with DHBVN. At the same time, the Commission asked to act more effectively for the satisfaction of electricity consumers so that they do not face any trouble.
Earlier on January 21, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) and Haryana Power General Corporation Limited (HPGCL) also conducted virtual public hearings on ARR petitions. Everyone present their views in the virtual public hearing. Director (Tariff) Sh. Sanjay Verma, Director (Technical) Sh. Virender Singh and other senior officers of the Commission were present during the virtual public hearing held in the courtroom of the Commission.

CGRF and Electricity Ombudsman is in active mode
144 complaints received from CGRF (DHBVN) from 1st July to 30th September
101 complaints from 1 July to 30 September in CGRF (UHBVN)
Complaints related to billing, voltage, metering and interruptions in power supply are being heard in CGRF
HERC directed that CGRF chairperson will go to related circle to redress the grievances on the spot
Chandigarh, (20 December, 2020). As many as 245 complaints had been redressed after Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has issued directions to power utilities to visit the concerned circles for resolving the complaints of the electricity consumers through Haryana's Electricity Consumers Grievances Redressal Forum (CGRF) and Electricity Ombudsman is in an active mode. Giving further information, an official spokesperson said that the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN)'s CGRF received 101 complaints from July 1 to September 30. Similarly, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN)'s CGRF received 144 complaints from July 1 to September 30. He said that CGRF listens to the complaints related to billing, voltage, metering, quality, lack of reliability, safety, for the contempt of HERC directions and electricity supply related problems. If the consumer is not satisfied with the CGRF decision then he can forward his complaint to Electricity Ombudsman, upon which the Electricity Ombudsman shall give its decision, he added. He further said that the Electricity Ombudsman will listen to the arguments of both the parties in a virtual hearing and then announce its decision accordingly. He said that as per the information, in the last financial year 2019-20 UHBVN CGRF received 230 complaints and DHBVN CGRF received 535 complaints. Also, Electricity Ombudsman received 40 complaints in the last financial year, he added. He said that to resolve these 40 complaints Lokpal electricity conducted 128 sittings. Most of the complaints were related to metering and electricity bill issues, he added. He said that as per Electricity Ombudsman, Mr. Virender Singh, HERC has issued clear directions that all the complaints of electricity consumers must be redressed in timely manner and to do this, both the CGRF chairmen visit the concerned circles to listen to the consumer complaints. The UHBVN CGRF office is located at Kurukshetra and DHBVN CGRF is in Gurugram, he added. He said that both the CGRF meetings for the concerned circles are generally publicized in advance.

Chandigarh, (08 June, 2020). HERC Chairman Depinder Singh Dhesi, Member Pravindra Singh Chauhan and Member Naresh Sardana signed DISCOMS ARR / Tariff Order on 1st June. Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) of UHBVNL and DHBVNL for the MYT Control Period 2020-21 to FY 2024-2025 and Distribution & Retail Supply Tariff for the FY 2020-21.

1. Concessional Tariff for Agro Industries - Providing a major relief to Agro-Industries, the HERC has created a new Tariff category of Agro Industries/FPO upto 20 kW load. Such units will be charged a concessional tariff of Rs. 4.75 per kWh. Earlier they were being charged a tariff of Rs. 7.05 per kWh. The total benefit that will accrue during 2020-21 is estimated to be Rs. 42.5 Crores. The beneficiaries of this category will be the following:-
   a. Pack House
   b. Grading
   c. Packing
   d. Pre-cooling and ripening chamber
   e. Honey bee keeping
   f. Honey processing
   g. Mushroom farming
   h. Tissue culture
   i. Zinga and Fish Farming
   j. Poultry Farm
   k. Pig Farm
   l. Milk Chilling Plant
   m. Cold Storage
   This was a long pending demand of this category of industries and will give a big boost to the diversification of the rural economy.
2. Pre-Paid Metering - HERC has approved the proposal of DISCOMs for introducing pre-paid metering. It allowed a rebate of 5% on the applicable tariff for consumers availing pre-paid facility. This step will go a long way in improving the billing and collection efficiency.
3. Concessional Tariff for Domestic Consumers - Domestic consumers having consumption upto 150 units per month will continue to enjoy concessional tariff as follows:-

Units Per month	At the rate of
0-50 Units	Rs. 2 per kWh
51-100 Units	Rs. 2.50 per kWh
0-150 Units	Rs. 2.50 per kWh

       Such consumers will stand to gain by Rs. 465 Crores.

      Distribution and Retail Supply tariff for the Domestic Supply Consumers up to consumption of 800 Units per month has been reduced by 42 Paise per unit. Hence, for such consumers the electricity bill will reduce by about 10%. The reduction is on account of subsidy being given by the State Government and reduction, by the Commission of the applicable tariff for the Category II Tariff with per month consumption of 0-150 Units from Rs. 4.50/kWh to Rs. 2.50/kWh with telescopic impact upto a monthly consumption of 800 Units.

4. No increase in Electricity Tariff - Keeping in view, the extraordinary situation arising out of the out break of the pandemic, HERC has decided not to increase the power tariff for any category of consumers. The Commission, to cushion the electricity consumers from possibility of tariff hike given the difficulty faced by HT/LT Industrial Consumers, Commercial Consumers, Railways/DMRC, has not allowed Return on Equity estimated at about Rs. 850 Crore to the Haryana Power Utilities i.e. HPGCL, HVPNL, UHBVNL and DHBVNL.
5. Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) - HERC has worked out the ARR for 2020-21 for Rs. 27,835 Crores. This figure was Rs. 28805 crores in 2019-20.
6. Capital Expenditure Plan - HERC has approved a Capital Expenditure Plan of Rs. 2180 Crores for 2020-21 of the DISCOMs.
7. R.E. Subsidy - The A.P. Sales are estimated to be 9217 million units during 2020-21, for which Power Department will provide R.E. Subsidy of Rs. 6650 Crores during 2020-21.
8. Date of Applicability - The Tariff order of HERC for 2020-21, will be applicable w.e.f. 01.06.2020.
9. Directives to DISCOMs - HERC has given the following directives to DISCOMs:-
   a. Work of installation of 10 lakh smart meters be completed within 6 months.
   b. Facility of pre-paid connection be provided to all consumers having Smart Meters, within six months.
   c. DISCOMs should publish their performance parameters, so that the consumers know how their service provider fares in comparison to the peers.
   d. Haryana should have at least one city (Panchkula or a renowned tourist destination) which is fully solar powered, using Rooftop Solar Generation.
   e. The Backlog of Renewable Purchase Obligation should be cleared and will not be allowed to be carried forward beyond 31.03.2022.

Function of Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission
Section 86 of the Electricity Act, 2003 states the functions of State Electricity Regulatory Commission. The following functions shall be discharged by the HERC -

• Determine the tariff for generation, supply, transmission and wheeling of electricity, wholesale, bulk or retail, as the case may by, within the State:
• When open access is permitted by the SERC then SERC shall determine only the wheeling charges and surcharge only;
• Regulate electricity purchase and procurement process of distribution licensees including the price at which electricity shall be procured form the generating companies of licensees or from other sources through agreement for purpose of power for distribution and supply within the State;
• Facilitate intra-State transmission and wheeling of electricity;
• Issue licenses to persons seeking to act as transmission licensees, distribution licensees and electricity traders with respect to their operations within the State;
• Promote cogeneration and generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy by providing suitable measures for connectivity with the grid and sale of electricity to any person, and also specify, for purchase of electricity from such sources, a percentage of the total consumption of electricity in the area of a distribution licensees;
• Adjudicate upon the disputes between the licensees and generating companies and to refer any dispute for arbitration;
• Levy fee for the purpose of this Act;
• Specify State Grid Code consistent with the Indian Electricity Grid Code specified by the CERC;
• Specify of enforce standards with respect to quality, continuity and reliability of service by licensees;
• Fix the trading margin in the intra-State trading of electricity, if considered, necessary;
• Discharge such other functions as may be assigned to it under this Act.

It is also mandated that in discharge of its functions, the State Commission shall be guided by the National Electricity Policy, National Electricity Plan and tariff policy published by the Central Government or the CEA as the case may be.

Advisory role of Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission

The HERC shall advise the State Government on all or any of the following matters, namely:

• Promotion of competition, efficiency and economy in activities of the electricity industry;
• Promotion of investment in electricity industry;
• Recognition and restructuring of electricity industry in the State;
• Matters concerning generation, transmission, distribution and trading of electricity or any other matter referred to the State Commission by that Government.
• The State Commission shall ensure transparency while exercising its powers and discharging its functions.