Power distribution companies (discoms) will have to pay enhanced compensation for outages to consumers, reports ET Energy world citing the revised Supply Code 2017.

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commissions (DERC) issued the amended code ensuring discoms are held accountable to consumers for failing to address complaints within the stipulated time.

The policy is in accordance with the directions issued by the Delhi Government under Section 108 of the Electricity Act, 2003. Under it, consumers will receive Rs 50 per hour for the first two hours of an unscheduled cut, after which it will double to Rs 100 per hour, a government statement said.

Earlier, consumers were paid at the rate of Rs 10 per kW per hour, maximum up to Rs 200

The Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum (CGRF), will sort any disagreements over the payment of compensation and the appeals on order will be taken up by the electricity ombudsman.

The code says if the CGRF or ombudsman uphold claims of unscheduled power, the compensation will be either Rs 5,000 or five times of what it was initially. For scheduled outages, consumers will receive payment after 12 hours.

For cases of burnt or stolen meters, supply needs to be restored within three hours of the complaint, else compensation will be paid on the hourly basis. A compensation of Rs 50 per day will be payable if the meter is not replaced within three days.

In case of other performance-related complaints, the affected person needs to submit the claim within 60 days to discoms which will then compensate them.