1 Tools for Building Capacities of CSOs in electricity reforms in Rajasthan A CUTS initiative

2Background Infrastructure/utility network is the backbone of economic development.Infrastructure/utility network is the backbone of economic development. The utility sector being key infrastructure, the availability of quality service in the required quantity would be one of the important determinants for the success of India’s recently introduced high- growth oriented economic policy.The utility sector being key infrastructure, the availability of quality service in the required quantity would be one of the important determinants for the success of India’s recently introduced high- growth oriented economic policy. Given the capital intensity of the infrastructure sector and the poor financial condition of a number of utility providers, steps towards the infrastructure reform taken by the government was right on time.Given the capital intensity of the infrastructure sector and the poor financial condition of a number of utility providers, steps towards the infrastructure reform taken by the government was right on time. When the government started the process of allowing private sector to play its role in some of the key infrastructure industry, the sole objective it had in mind was getting money from wherever it is available and under any condition that it is available.When the government started the process of allowing private sector to play its role in some of the key infrastructure industry, the sole objective it had in mind was getting money from wherever it is available and under any condition that it is available. This was so, since most of the state run utility providers were in ‘red’.This was so, since most of the state run utility providers were in ‘red’. The reforms were introduced in Rajasthan in year 2000.The reforms were introduced in Rajasthan in year 2000.

3 Why CUTS No institutional mechanism in place to represent the consumers at large and their concerns, in organised and professional manner.No institutional mechanism in place to represent the consumers at large and their concerns, in organised and professional manner. Particularly the case for rural and agriculture consumers.Particularly the case for rural and agriculture consumers. Not enough advocacy efforts from consumers and they were not aware of their rights and responsibilities.Not enough advocacy efforts from consumers and they were not aware of their rights and responsibilities. A clear communication gap and a feeling of mistrust between the consumers and service providers, since no provision for multi- stakeholder dialogue existed.A clear communication gap and a feeling of mistrust between the consumers and service providers, since no provision for multi- stakeholder dialogue existed. Consumers had the mistrustConsumers had the mistrust A state level workshop on September 2000, the year, when the reform process started in the state as well.A state level workshop on September 2000, the year, when the reform process started in the state as well.

4 Objectives Sensitise utility providers and regulators to the cause of consumers.Sensitise utility providers and regulators to the cause of consumers. Sensitise consumers about their obligations towards the utility providers.Sensitise consumers about their obligations towards the utility providers. Mobilise community participation in the reform processMobilise community participation in the reform process Enhance the capacities of institutions and consumer organisations.Enhance the capacities of institutions and consumer organisations. Catalyse the establishment of independent regulatory frameworks in the utility sectors to improve their efficiency.Catalyse the establishment of independent regulatory frameworks in the utility sectors to improve their efficiency. The immediate objectives of the initiative was to:

5 The long-run objectives of the initiation: Achieve better and cogent economic reforms and liberalisation in India.Achieve better and cogent economic reforms and liberalisation in India. Improvement in the allocation of resources, facilitating more availability of resources.Improvement in the allocation of resources, facilitating more availability of resources.

6 Tools emerged out To take the initiative forward, the following tools were adopted: To take the initiative forward, the following tools were adopted: Representation, Advocacy and LobbyingRepresentation, Advocacy and Lobbying NetworkingNetworking TrainingTraining ResearchResearch Information Dissemination & OutreachInformation Dissemination & Outreach

7 Representation, Advocacy and Lobbying As part of this tool, the major achievement was to become an active member of the newly formed Electricity Regulatory Commission.As part of this tool, the major achievement was to become an active member of the newly formed Electricity Regulatory Commission. Other then this, CUTS submitted views on draft electricty bill, draft licensing regulations of Karnataka, representation to the RERCOther then this, CUTS submitted views on draft electricty bill, draft licensing regulations of Karnataka, representation to the RERC As member of the Advisory Committee of the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Tariff hike proposal submitted by the three distribution companies and Transmission company.As member of the Advisory Committee of the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Tariff hike proposal submitted by the three distribution companies and Transmission company. Getting consumer charter completed, important role in setting up of Grievance Redressal Mechanism at the grassroots and a code of standards of supply, creating political consensus and involvement of people’s representatives in the reform movement, appearing before before the Parliamentary Standing Committee for giving commentsGetting consumer charter completed, important role in setting up of Grievance Redressal Mechanism at the grassroots and a code of standards of supply, creating political consensus and involvement of people’s representatives in the reform movement, appearing before before the Parliamentary Standing Committee for giving comments Submitted views on Electricity Bills 2003, commenting on Draft Terms and Conditions for Tariff released by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and draft ‘Open Access’ regulation.Submitted views on Electricity Bills 2003, commenting on Draft Terms and Conditions for Tariff released by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and draft ‘Open Access’ regulation. Apart from this, CUTS staff also participated and represented the organisation at several forums to present CUTS views on power reforms.Apart from this, CUTS staff also participated and represented the organisation at several forums to present CUTS views on power reforms.

8 Networking Networking with consumer activists and consumer organisation at the block,Networking with consumer activists and consumer organisation at the block, district and village level of Rajasthandistrict and village level of Rajasthan Networking with consumer activists/organisations in other statesNetworking with consumer activists/organisations in other states Networking with past and present regulators, researchers & specialistsNetworking with past and present regulators, researchers & specialists Networking with public representatives through Vidhayak Samvaad.Networking with public representatives through Vidhayak Samvaad. Creating a People’s MovementCreating a People’s Movement

9 Training Prior to organising the first programme in September 2000, CUTS had organised one more programme in July 1998 on citizens charter for the erstwhile RSEB for ensuring better governance.Prior to organising the first programme in September 2000, CUTS had organised one more programme in July 1998 on citizens charter for the erstwhile RSEB for ensuring better governance. Programmes were conducted in three phases and the third phase in particular focussed on Feeder Renovation, which is the part of the ongoing reforms.Programmes were conducted in three phases and the third phase in particular focussed on Feeder Renovation, which is the part of the ongoing reforms. CUTS also organised newly developed Vidhyut Sudhar Samiti Meeting Series at 45 villages in three divisions of Rajasthan.CUTS also organised newly developed Vidhyut Sudhar Samiti Meeting Series at 45 villages in three divisions of Rajasthan. To carry the work forward as the grassroot intervention, organised village meetings (Chaupal Bhaitaks) Series in 45 villagesTo carry the work forward as the grassroot intervention, organised village meetings (Chaupal Bhaitaks) Series in 45 villages Organised public hearings in the selected districts bringing the service provide and the common at a common platform.Organised public hearings in the selected districts bringing the service provide and the common at a common platform.

10 Research Grass root surveys were done among the consumers of different categoriesGrass root surveys were done among the consumers of different categories Analyses of the power supply logbook maintained in a few blocks under Ajmer Distribution Company Limited were also done.Analyses of the power supply logbook maintained in a few blocks under Ajmer Distribution Company Limited were also done.

11 Information Dissemination & Outreach CUTS have been making efforts to disseminate various information related to developments in the reform process and the performance of utilities and the regulator through various publications in vernacular, which are in the form of newsletters, briefing papers, monographs, reports and press releases.CUTS have been making efforts to disseminate various information related to developments in the reform process and the performance of utilities and the regulator through various publications in vernacular, which are in the form of newsletters, briefing papers, monographs, reports and press releases.

12 Achievements so far The programme resulted into several pro-people changes in the electricity policy and regulation and consumer participation was increased substantially. Following are few specific mentions of success parameters for the programme, separately at policy and grassroots level:The programme resulted into several pro-people changes in the electricity policy and regulation and consumer participation was increased substantially. Following are few specific mentions of success parameters for the programme, separately at policy and grassroots level:

13 At the Policy level As result of consistent advocacy campaign, the Ministry of Power, Government of India has recognised ‘Sensitising the Consumers’ as one of the strategic action-point into its six- point blueprint to reform the electricity distribution.As result of consistent advocacy campaign, the Ministry of Power, Government of India has recognised ‘Sensitising the Consumers’ as one of the strategic action-point into its six- point blueprint to reform the electricity distribution. The Regulatory Commission has released guidelines to all three Distribution Companies to resolve the consumer complains in time bound manner and report back on periodic basis and has implemented service standards.The Regulatory Commission has released guidelines to all three Distribution Companies to resolve the consumer complains in time bound manner and report back on periodic basis and has implemented service standards. The regulatory commission has nominated CUTS to the Commission’s Advisory Committee to represent the genuine consumer concerns more effectively.The regulatory commission has nominated CUTS to the Commission’s Advisory Committee to represent the genuine consumer concerns more effectively. A greater institutional space exists for consumer movement in electricity reform process.A greater institutional space exists for consumer movement in electricity reform process.

14 At the Consumers’ end Consumers at grassroots finding it extremely unusual to observe that senior officials of distribution companies coming out in public and have face-to-face through programme.Consumers at grassroots finding it extremely unusual to observe that senior officials of distribution companies coming out in public and have face-to-face through programme. These organisations are working to mould the society’s opinion against mal practices such as electricity theft, wastage of energy and so on in rural areas.These organisations are working to mould the society’s opinion against mal practices such as electricity theft, wastage of energy and so on in rural areas. These grassroots consumer organisations/activists are better informed about the role of regulator and obligations of utilities in terms of deliverables to common consumers.These grassroots consumer organisations/activists are better informed about the role of regulator and obligations of utilities in terms of deliverables to common consumers. Jan-Sunvais (public-hearings) have achieved the goal of building a constructive partnership between consumers and local utility staff.Jan-Sunvais (public-hearings) have achieved the goal of building a constructive partnership between consumers and local utility staff. The World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Programme-South Asia [WSP-SA] has identified the ‘CUTS-FES Model’ as one of the best practice in the entire country.The World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Programme-South Asia [WSP-SA] has identified the ‘CUTS-FES Model’ as one of the best practice in the entire country.

15 Creating a People’s Movement As part of its ongoing programmes, CUTS has been able to mobilise people’s movement in the power sector reforms process. The Vidhyut Sudhar Samitis set up is one example of people’s movement. One major example, which is noteworthy to be quoted is that in a bid to prevent or reduce thefts in villages, people who have proper connections have appealed to their neighbors who tap power from the main line to tap power from their own line and have a system of sharing of bills. Though in legal terms, this is also theft, but still companies do not loose anything out of it.As part of its ongoing programmes, CUTS has been able to mobilise people’s movement in the power sector reforms process. The Vidhyut Sudhar Samitis set up is one example of people’s movement. One major example, which is noteworthy to be quoted is that in a bid to prevent or reduce thefts in villages, people who have proper connections have appealed to their neighbors who tap power from the main line to tap power from their own line and have a system of sharing of bills. Though in legal terms, this is also theft, but still companies do not loose anything out of it.

16 Creating a Grievance Redressal Mechanism and a informal Code of Standards at the Grassroots CUTS has helped to established “Vidhyut Sudhar Samitis’ in over 45 villages all over Rajasthan. The main function of these committees is to act as a forum, which helps the concerned villagers redress their grievances vis- à-vis power supply. CUTS has also enabled these committees to come out with an informal code of standards for power supply.CUTS has helped to established “Vidhyut Sudhar Samitis’ in over 45 villages all over Rajasthan. The main function of these committees is to act as a forum, which helps the concerned villagers redress their grievances vis- à-vis power supply. CUTS has also enabled these committees to come out with an informal code of standards for power supply.

17 Recommendations brought forward in the last few year’s of interventions Taking power as a micro issueTaking power as a micro issue A repeated and extensive efforts to bring about the desired attitudinal and behavioral changes among the masses, since the issue is complex..A repeated and extensive efforts to bring about the desired attitudinal and behavioral changes among the masses, since the issue is complex.. To further strengthen the three-fold approach adopted into ‘CUTS- FES Modal’ information flow & capacity building (top-to-bottom); representation of consumer concerns & watchdog role (bottom-up); and co-ordinating with utilities at different levels (horizontal reach- out).To further strengthen the three-fold approach adopted into ‘CUTS- FES Modal’ information flow & capacity building (top-to-bottom); representation of consumer concerns & watchdog role (bottom-up); and co-ordinating with utilities at different levels (horizontal reach- out). Atleast one such competent organisation needs to be established at each districtAtleast one such competent organisation needs to be established at each district Effective representation district/block level CSOs in regulatory proceedings has to be enhanced in qualitative and quantitative terms.Effective representation district/block level CSOs in regulatory proceedings has to be enhanced in qualitative and quantitative terms. Publishing reader friendly informative documents on relevant issues is must for supporting such initiatives.Publishing reader friendly informative documents on relevant issues is must for supporting such initiatives.

18 THANK YOU