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—guide:applicant:application:sample:electricity-complaint [2026/06/03 17:01] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(RTI for electricity DISCOM,power cut RTI,voltage fluctuation RTI,electricity bill dispute RTI,Electricity Act 2003 section 43,SoP regulations DISCOM,BSES RTI,BESCOM RTI,MSEDCL RTI,sample RTI India 2026)
 +metatag-description=(Power cuts, voltage swings or wrong electricity bill? Free RTI to your DISCOM. Sample letter, first appeal text, sources, FAQs. Citizen guide 2026.)}}
 +
 +====== Sample RTI: DISCOM Power Cut, Voltage Fluctuation and Bill Dispute Records ======
 +
 +{{:icons:warning.svg?24&nolink|Warning}}
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 100%>
 +**Direct answer.** For a power cut beyond the SoP window, voltage outside the IS 12360 tolerance, or a disputed bill, file a free RTI to the **Public Information Officer of your DISCOM** (BSES Rajdhani, Tata Power, BESCOM, MSEDCL, KSEB, KESCo, etc.) and a copy to the **State Electricity Regulatory Commission**. Cite Sections 43, 57 and 142 of the Electricity Act, 2003. Reply due in 30 days under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005. Fee: Rs 10 (BPL: nil).
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== When to use this RTI =====
 +
 +  * New connection delayed beyond 30 days from completed application (Section 43 of the Electricity Act, 2003).
 +  * Repeated unscheduled outages on your feeder.
 +  * Voltage fluctuation outside +/- 6% of declared voltage (IS 12360).
 +  * Transformer failure with restoration delayed past the SoP window.
 +  * Bill dispute: average billing for a working meter, slab miscalculation, or wrong tariff category.
 +  * Disconnection without 15-day Section 56 notice.
 +  * Penalty / late-payment surcharge added on a disputed bill.
 +  * Compensation under SoP regulations not credited despite repeated outages.
 +
 +===== When NOT to use this RTI =====
 +
 +  * **Quick service complaint**: lodge on the **DISCOM 1912 helpline** or app first; the helpline ticket number is what an RTI then asks about.
 +  * **Compensation claim by suit**: file before the **Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF)** of the DISCOM under the Electricity Act, 2003; an RTI prepares evidence for that forum but does not award compensation.
 +  * **Asking about a neighbour's bill**: protected under Section 8(1)(j).
 +  * **Bulk-tariff policy challenge**: the tariff order itself is challengeable only before the SERC or Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL).
 +
 +===== Drafting notes =====
 +
 +  * State your **Consumer Number / Service Connection Number / K-Number**.
 +  * Specify the **disputed period** with start and end dates.
 +  * Quote the **DISCOM SoP Regulations** of your State, which fix time-bound restoration and compensation.
 +  * Ask for the **transformer feeder log**, the **outage register**, and the **complaint redressal SLA report**.
 +  * For voltage issues, ask for the **voltage profile** at your distribution transformer.
 +  * For bill disputes, ask for the **meter test certificate** and the **tariff schedule** in force.
 +  * Send by Speed Post (Acknowledgement Due).
 +
 +===== Privacy caution =====
 +
 +You may ask for **your own connection records, the published tariff order, the SoP regulations, the feeder-level outage log, and the transformer-level voltage profile**. The transformer / feeder data is not personal: it is system data and disclosable under Section 4(1)(b). A neighbour's consumption, a builder's records, or another consumer's complaint file remain protected by Section 8(1)(j).
 +
 +===== Sample format =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To
 +The Public Information Officer
 +[DISCOM name, e.g., BSES Rajdhani Power Limited / Tata Power Delhi Distribution
 + / BESCOM / MSEDCL / Kerala State Electricity Board / KESCo Kanpur, etc.]
 +[Full postal address, PIN]
 +
 +Subject: Application under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005:
 +       Records relating to electricity service connection [Consumer No. XXXX]
 +
 +Sir / Madam,
 +
 +1. I, [Full name], a citizen of India residing at [full address], apply under
 +   Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 for the records below.
 +
 +2. Particulars for record-identification:
 +       Consumer Number / SC No / K-No : ________________
 +       Address of premises            : ________________
 +       Tariff category                : ________________
 +       Disputed period                : ________________
 +
 +3. Information sought (please supply certified copies):
 +   (a) Certified copy of my connection-application file with all sanction
 +       and load-enhancement orders.
 +   (b) Outage log for my distribution transformer / feeder for the disputed
 +       period, with date, time, duration, and reason.
 +   (c) Restoration time recorded against each outage and the SoP-compliance
 +       audit, if any.
 +   (d) Voltage profile recorded at my distribution transformer for the
 +       disputed period.
 +   (e) Certified copy of the meter test certificate, if a meter test was
 +       carried out.
 +   (f) Certified copy of the tariff schedule in force on the dates of the
 +       disputed bills, with the SERC notification number.
 +   (g) My complaint-redressal log (1912 / call centre / app) for the
 +       disputed period, with the SoP outcome on each ticket.
 +   (h) Certified copy of the SoP-compliance compensation worksheet, if any
 +       compensation was due to me but not credited.
 +   (i) Name, designation and office address of the officer presently holding
 +       my file.
 +
 +4. I enclose the prescribed application fee of Rs 10 by way of Indian Postal
 +   Order in favour of the Accounts Officer of the DISCOM.
 +
 +5. Please send the reply to the address below by Registered Post.
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +Signature
 +Name    : ___________________
 +Address : ___________________
 +Date    : ___________________
 +</code>
 +
 +===== First appeal wording =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To
 +The First Appellate Authority
 +[DISCOM name]
 +
 +Subject: First appeal under Section 19(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005:
 +       Non-supply of records on electricity service complaint
 +
 +Sir / Madam,
 +
 +1. I filed RTI dated [DD/MM/YYYY] (Speed Post No. [XXXX]) seeking the records
 +   listed therein.
 +
 +2. The 30-day period under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 expired on
 +   [DD/MM/YYYY]. The PIO has not replied / has replied partly on points: [list].
 +
 +3. I therefore appeal under Section 19(1) and pray that the PIO be directed
 +   to supply the records sought within the time fixed by you.
 +
 +4. I draw attention to Section 19(8)(a)(i) on costs and Section 20(1) on
 +   penalties for unreasonable delay.
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +Signature
 +Name    : ___________________
 +Address : ___________________
 +Date    : ___________________
 +</code>
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * [[https://powermin.gov.in|powermin.gov.in]]: Ministry of Power, statutory framework.
 +  * [[https://cea.nic.in|cea.nic.in]]: Central Electricity Authority, technical standards.
 +  * [[https://forumofregulators.gov.in|forumofregulators.gov.in]]: Forum of Regulators, model SoP regulations.
 +  * The Electricity Act, 2003: Sections 43 (new connection), 57 (Standards of Performance), 142 (penalty).
 +  * Bureau of Indian Standards IS 12360: voltage tolerance for distribution.
 +  * The Right to Information Act, 2005, Sections 6(1), 7(1) and 19(1).
 +
 +===== FAQs =====
 +
 +==== What is the SoP window for power restoration? ====
 +
 +Each State Electricity Regulatory Commission notifies its own **Standards of Performance Regulations**. Typical urban window: **2 hours for normal fault**, **24 hours for transformer failure**, **48 hours for storm-related damage**. The exact figure for your State is available from the SERC's published SoP order, and your RTI should ask for it.
 +
 +==== Can I claim compensation through the RTI? ====
 +
 +Not directly. The RTI gives you the **outage log + SoP compliance record**. Take that record to the **Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF)** of the DISCOM, which can award compensation under the Electricity Act, 2003 read with the SoP regulations.
 +
 +==== Is the meter test free? ====
 +
 +The first test on the consumer's complaint is free if the meter is found defective. If the meter is found correct within tolerance, the test fee fixed by the SERC is recovered from the consumer. The test certificate is on file either way and is disclosable.
 +
 +==== Voltage fluctuation has burnt my appliances; what do I ask in the RTI? ====
 +
 +Ask for the **voltage profile at your distribution transformer**, the **transformer load chart**, and the **complaint log**. If voltage is outside +/- 6%, you have evidence for a CGRF claim against the DISCOM for damaged appliances.
 +
 +==== The bill is wrong but the disconnection notice is already issued. ====
 +
 +Pay the undisputed portion under protest, lodge a written dispute, and file the RTI immediately. Most SERCs prohibit disconnection for the disputed amount during the pendency of a CGRF complaint, but you must record the dispute in writing first.
 +
 +===== Internal links =====
 +
 +  * [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]: builds a customised letter in 60 seconds.
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:start|Sample RTI index]]: full library.
 +  * [[guide:applicant:first-appeal|First appeal guide]]: Section 19(1) procedure.
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:water-bill|Sample RTI: water bill]]: utility cousin.
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:complaint|Sample RTI: complaint follow-up]]: generic complaint sample.
 +  * [[guide:applicant:application:sample:road-work|Sample RTI: road work]]: civic infrastructure cousin.
 +
 +**Last reviewed: 9 May 2026**
 +
 +//Sources verified against the Electricity Act, 2003, model SoP regulations published by the Forum of Regulators, the Right to Information Act, 2005, and DISCOM tariff orders as on 9 May 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>rti sample-rti electricity discom power-cut voltage applicant}}