REGISTERED NO. PT.-40
EXTRA ORDINARY
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
21 VAISHAKH 1948 (S)
(NO. PATNA 457) PATNA, MONDAY, 11TH MAY 2026
BIHAR ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION, PATNA
———
NOTIFICATION
22nd April 2026
(Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, Electricity Ombudsman and Consumer
Advocacy) (4th Amendment) Regulations, 2025
No.-BERC-Case No. 40/2025-04.—In exercise of the powers conferred by
clause (r) and (s) of Section 181(2) read with sub-section (5) to (7) of section 42 of
the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003) and all other powers enabling it in this behalf,
the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission hereby makes the following
amendments in BERC (Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, Electricity
Ombudsman and Consumer Advocacy) Regulations 2017 read with BERC
(Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, Electricity Ombudsman and Consumer
Advocacy) (1st Amendment),Regulations 2019, (2nd Amendment), Regulations
2021 and (3rd Amendment), Regulations 2025.
1. Shorts Titles and Commencement.—
1.1 These Regulations may be called the Bihar Electricity Regulatory
Commission (Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, Electricity
Ombudsman and Consumer Advocacy) (4th Amendment)
Regulations, 2025.
1.2 These Regulations shall be applicable to all distribution licensee
in the "State of Bihar" in their respective licensed areas.
1.3 These Regulations shall come into force from the date of
notification in the Official Gazette.
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BIHAR GAZETTE (EXTRA) 11TH MAY 2026
1.4 These Regulations shall be construed harmoniously with the
standards of performance of the distribution licensees and the
Electricity Supply Code specified by the Commission under the
provisions of Clause (x) and (za) of sub- section (2) of section 181
of the Act. In case of any inconsistency with these Regulations,
the standards of performance of the distribution licensees and the
Electricity Supply Code shall prevail.
2. Amendment of Regulations.—
(A) Regulation 2.2 of the Principal Regulation shall be substituted as
under:
“The distribution licensee shall establish Consumer
Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) under sub-section (5) of
section 42 of the Act at different levels to cater to the needs of the
sub divisions, division, circle, zone, company level.
However, the licensee shall establish at least one Forum in
each Supply Circle and at Company level which may further
extend to Division, sub division level, as and when needed.
The consumer aggrieved by the decision of sub division or
division or circle forum will have the option to approach the
company level forum before making an appeal to the
Ombudsman. However, HT Consumer may approach the
company level forum directly without going to the circle level or
below CGRF.
If a consumer's grievance is not redressed by the company
level forum within forty-five (45) days from the date of admission
of the complaint or the consumer is not satisfied with the disposal
of his grievance, he will be free to approach the Ombudsman
appointed by the Commission.
The Distribution Licensee shall facilitate/create digital
interface and escalation of the complaint to Consumer Grievance
Redressal Forum at Company level, if the grievances of the
consumer are not redressed within a period of forty-five (45) days
from the date of admission of the complaint, at the Circle level or
below CGRF.
Also, provided that in the event of grievance being
disposed of after the maximum period specified above, the Forum
should record in writing, the reasons for the same at the time of
disposing the said grievance and inform the Ombudsman.
The Forum may be assigned different types of grievances
depending on the nature of the grievance and the level at which it
can be best resolved.”
(B)
The Regulation 2.4 (a)(i) of the Principal Regulations shall be
substituted as under:
“The Forum other than company level shall be headed
by an officer of licensee of appropriate seniority not below the
rank of Electrical Executive Engineer (EEE) or equivalent and
Forum at company level shall be headed by an officer of licensee
of appropriate seniority not below the rank of Chief Engineer
(CE). The Forum shall consist of serving officers of the licensee,
except Independent Member, and shall have not more than three
Members as consumers and prosumer representatives. The senior
most Member appointed by licensee shall be the Chairperson of
the Forum. Preference shall be given to the officer having
experience in dealing with problems of consumers relating to
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BIHAR GAZETTE (EXTRA) 11TH MAY 2026
electricity matters and familiar with the consumers affairs
service.”
(C) The Regulation 2.4(a)(ii) of the Principal Regulations shall be
substituted as under:
“The second Member of the Forum shall be appointed by
the licensee from amongst the serving officers of the licensee not
below the rank of Electrical Executive Engineer or equivalent for
circle
level
or
below
Forums
and
rank
of
Electrical
Superintending Engineer for Company level Forums of
appropriate seniority having at least three years experience in the
field of electricity supply, distribution or accounts/finance and
shall have requisite knowledge of Electricity Act/Regulation and
consumer affairs.”
(D) The Regulation 2.15 of the Principal Regulations shall be
substituted as under;
“The consolidated monthly remuneration payable by the
licensee to the Independent Member (Third Member) will be Rs.
65,000/-”.
(E)
The Regulation 3.13 of the Principal Regulations shall be
substituted as under;
“The Electricity Ombudsman shall be paid a consolidated
salary and such other allowances as determined by the
Commission, by order, from time to time”.
By order of the Commission,
NADEEM AHMAD,
Secretary.
———
PUBLISHED AND PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT,
BIHAR SECRETARIAT PRESS, PATNA,
BIHAR GAZETTE (EXTRA) 457—571+10
Website:https://egazette.bihar.gov.in