Residents of Chennai and its surrounding districts are facing significant hurdles in resolving their electricity-related complaints, as the official grievance redressal bodies meant to help them are operating with incomplete panels. Issues ranging from frequent voltage fluctuations and extended power cuts to billing errors and transformer disputes remain unresolved due to a critical shortage of members in the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums (CGRFs).
Forums Functioning Without Mandatory Members
The Electricity Act mandates that every CGRF must have a chairman and two members—one an advocate and another with technical expertise in the electricity sector—to hear and dispose of petitions. However, this rule is being widely flouted. In the Chennai region, more than 10,000 electricity-related grievances were disposed of in 2025 by five forums, none of which were functioning at full strength.
The situation varies across districts but paints a bleak picture. In Chennai and Kancheepuram, the forums are operating without the mandatory third member possessing technical knowledge. The scenario is worse in Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur, where only the chairman holds meetings and decides cases alone. Furthermore, no CGRFs have been established for the newly created distribution circles of Avadi and Adyar.
TNERC Expresses Displeasure, Directs Immediate Action
The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has taken note of this serious lapse. In a recent communication to all CGRF chairmen and the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution and Commercial Limited (TNPDCL) distribution director, the regulator expressed strong disapproval. TNERC pointed out that certain member posts have remained vacant for over a year, despite rules requiring they be filled within two months.
"This prolonged vacancy is viewed with displeasure. The respective Chairpersons are hereby directed to take immediate and concrete steps to ensure that the vacant member posts are filled without further delay," stated the TNERC directive. The commission also instructed the forums to update the CGRF portal with a current member list and provide reasons for any delays in implementing their own orders.
Reasons and Reactions from Officials and Activists
Senior officials from Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) stated that the responsibility to appoint members lies with the respective superintendent engineers, calling it their absolute prerogative. This explanation, however, offers little solace to aggrieved consumers.
K Vishnu Mohan Rao from the Consumer Civic Action Group, a former CGRF member himself, highlighted a practical challenge. He noted that finding individuals with specialized expertise in the electricity field is difficult, which partly contributes to the persistent vacancies.
Consumer activist Neelakanta Pillai criticized the passive approach, urging TNERC to go beyond writing letters. He emphasized that the regulator is empowered to ensure the effective functioning of CGRFs and must enforce compliance. The absence of a technically sound member on the panel raises concerns about the fairness and efficacy of decisions on complex electrical issues affecting thousands of households and businesses.
This systemic failure in the grievance redressal mechanism leaves consumers in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur with nowhere to turn for authoritative and fair resolutions to their persistent power woes.
