Lok Sabha Question No. 2193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-12
Subject: Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2193 ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026

## ELECTRICITY (RIGHTS OF CONSUMERS) RULES, 2020

2193. SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the implementation status of guaranteed 24X7 electricity supply to consumers under  the  Electricity  (Rights  of  Consumers)  Rules,  2020  and  the  specific  penalties prescribed for  Distribution  Companies  (DISCOMs)  for  failure  to  comply  with  the  said standards;

(b) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  State  Electricity Regulatory Commissions are effectively establishing the average number and duration of outages per consumer on an annual basis; and

(c) the anticipated impact of the said regulations on consumer satisfaction and the overall performance of DISCOMs in providing reliable power supply across the country? A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) : As per Sub-Rule (1) of Rule (10) of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, the distribution licensee shall supply 24x7 power to all consumers. However, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission may specify lower hours of supply for some categories of consumers like agriculture. The Rules are applicable across all states and for all areas including urban and rural areas. During 2025-26 (Till December, 2025), the annual average daily power supply hours on monitored urban and rural feeders of the country was 23.4 hours and 22.6 hours per day, respectively.

The  Electricity  (Rights  of  Consumers)  Rules,  2020  prescribe  payment  of compensation  to  consumers  in  the  event  of  violation  of  Standards  of  Performance specified by the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs).

(b) : Under Rule 10 of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 the SERCs have  been  mandated  to  specify  the  total  duration  and  frequency  of  outages  per consumer per year in form of System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI). These Rules also mandate that SERCs shall have an online mechanism for reviewing and monitoring of reliability indices of the distribution licensees.

(c) : The  Electricity  (Rights  of  Consumers)  Rules,  2020  mandate  SERCs  to  specify Standards of Performance for distribution licensees and to determine the compensation payable  to  consumers  in  the  event  of  non-compliance.  The  Rules  also  prescribe enforceable obligations on distribution licensees relating to the quality and reliability of power supply, along with corresponding compensation mechanisms for violations of the Standards of Performance specified by the respective SERCs. Further, the Rules provide that  for  certain  specified  violations,  compensation  shall  be  paid  to  consumers automatically. The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, along with the Regulations framed by the SERCs, are expected to significantly enhance the quality of electricity services  and  the  operational  efficiency  of  distribution  companies  by  strengthening consumer rights, enforcing Standards of Performance, and ensuring time-bound delivery of  services.  By  promoting  reliable  power  supply,  instituting  robust  compensation mechanisms, and establishing effective grievance redressal systems, these regulations are  anticipated  to  improve  accountability  and  performance  outcomes  of  Distribution Companies,  thereby  leading  to  a  more  reliable  and  uninterrupted  electricity  supply across the country.

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