KHNAM terms frequent power cuts as violation

SHILLONG, April 16: The KHNAM has observed that frequent breakdown of power supply is a violation of the Right to Electricity by the MeECL.
KHNAM vice president, Thomas Passah said that the Union Ministry of Power has promulgated rules laying down the rights of power consumers in the country.
Passah mentioned that Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power and New and Renewable Energy, said, “These Rules shall empower the consumers of electricity and added that these Rules emanate from the conviction that the power systems exist to serve the consumers and the consumers have rights to get the reliable services and quality electricity.”
The KHNAM vice president said that according to the MoS, distribution companies (or discoms) across the country are monopolies – whether government or private – and the consumer has no alternative. Therefore, it was necessary that the consumers’ rights be laid down in Rules and a system for enforcement of these rights be put in place, he added.
Passah said that the frequent power cuts faced by the public are a violation of the consumers as per the rules of the Centre and the state government has to take cognizance of the same.
“Similarly, water shortage especially faced by the people living in the municipal areas is not justified after the consumer paid the due taxes to the government, and water being the element of life. Therefore, it can be said the frequent disruption of water supply is also a violation of a fundamental right to life of the citizens of the state,” Passah added.