**Executive Summary**
This document contains the Ministry of Power's answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2193 regarding the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020. It addresses the implementation of 24x7 electricity supply, measures to monitor outages, and the anticipated impact on consumer satisfaction and DISCOM performance. It also mentions that SERCs are mandated to have an online mechanism to review reliability indices.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **24x7 Electricity Supply:**
* Distribution licensees are required to supply 24x7 power to all consumers, as per Rule 10 of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020.
* State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) can specify lower supply hours for certain consumer categories (e.g., agriculture).
* Rules are applicable across all states and areas (urban and rural).
* Annual average daily power supply hours (till December 2025) were 23.4 hours in urban and 22.6 hours in rural areas.
* **Outage Monitoring and Compensation:**
* The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, prescribe compensation for consumers if DISCOMs violate Standards of Performance specified by the SERCs.
* SERCs must specify the total duration and frequency of outages per consumer per year via System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI).
* SERCs must have an online mechanism to review and monitor the reliability indices of distribution licensees.
* SERCs must specify Standards of Performance and determine compensation for non-compliance.
* **Impact and Anticipated Outcomes:**
* The Rules prescribe enforceable obligations on distribution licensees regarding power supply quality and reliability.
* The Rules provide for automatic compensation to consumers for specific violations.
* These rules are expected to enhance electricity service quality and DISCOM efficiency by strengthening consumer rights, enforcing performance standards, and ensuring timely service delivery.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Consumers**
* **Impact:** Guaranteed 24x7 electricity supply (with some exceptions), compensation for violations of Standards of Performance, improved reliability and quality of power supply.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of their rights under the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, and the Standards of Performance specified by their respective SERCs.
**Stakeholder: Distribution Companies (DISCOMs)**
* **Impact:** Obligation to provide 24x7 electricity supply, subject to compensation for failures to meet standards, increased accountability and performance expectations.
* **Action Required:** Implement measures to ensure compliance with the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, and Standards of Performance specified by SERCs; establish robust compensation mechanisms.
**Stakeholder: State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs)**
* **Impact:** Mandate to specify lower supply hours for some categories of consumers, determine SAIDI and SAIFI limits, set Standards of Performance, and monitor DISCOM performance.
* **Action Required:** Establish an online mechanism to review reliability indices and monitor the performance of distribution licensees.
Key Entities Referenced
Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020: Rules aimed at ensuring 24x7 electricity supply, setting standards of performance for Distribution Companies (DISCOMs), and prescribing compensation for consumers in case of violations.
State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs): State-level regulators mandated to ensure effective establishment of outage durations, specify standards of performance, and determine compensation for non-compliance related to electricity distribution.
Distribution Companies (DISCOMs): Entities responsible for electricity distribution and subject to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020.
Ministry of Power: The central ministry responsible for matters related to electricity.
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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