GERC CGRF Appointed Member (2025–Present)

Electricity Consumer Grievances & Regulatory Defense in Gujarat

Understanding utility and power supply disputes from the adjudicator's side. Advocate Rashesh Patel provides authoritative representation for industrial manufacturing units, commercial complexes, and developers before DISCOMs, CGRF, and the Electricity Ombudsman across Gujarat.

Consult Electricity Counsel Power Dispute Hotline

Regulatory Forums

Core Electricity Practice Areas

Defending consumer rights under the Electricity Act, 2003 and GERC Supply Code regulations.

CGRF & Ombudsman

Representation before CGRF & Electricity Ombudsman

Filing statutory complaints before the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) across MGVCL, DGVCL, PGVCL, and UGVCL. Filing appeals before the Electricity Ombudsman against adverse or delayed DISCOM orders.

Statutory grievance petitions under Section 42(5) of Electricity Act, 2003
Appeals before the Electricity Ombudsman under Section 42(6)
Challenging delay in releasing new HT/LT connections or load extensions
Claiming statutory interest and compensation for deficiency in service

Billing Defense

Industrial HT/LT Billing Disputes & Tariff Audit

Auditing and disputing arbitrary supplemental bills, incorrect multiplying factor (MF) applications, delayed fuel surcharge (FPPPA) adjustments, and excessive contract demand penalties.

Challenging retrospective billing notices and arbitrary penalty assessments
Reconciliation of check-meter vs main-meter discrepancy data
Defense against erroneous power factor (PF) penalties and harmonic distortions
Settlement negotiations and installment reliefs for contested utility claims

Statutory Defense

Section 126 & 135 Electricity Act Proceedings

Immediate legal defense against provisional assessment orders for unauthorized use of electricity (Section 126) and criminal compounding / trial defense under Section 135 (theft of electricity) before Special Electricity Courts.

Filing legal objections to Section 126 provisional assessment bills within 3 days
Representation in personal hearings before the Assessing Officer (Executive Engineer)
Statutory appeals under Section 127 before the Appellate Authority
Defense and compounding applications before Special Electricity Courts

Renewable Energy

Rooftop Solar, Open Access & Captive Power

Guiding industrial enterprises in Nandesari, Savli, and Makarpura through DISCOM net-metering agreements, banking of renewable power, wheeling charges, and open access approvals under GERC orders.

Drafting and review of Solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
Dispute resolution regarding uncredited solar export units in monthly bills
Open Access connectivity disputes and cross-subsidy surcharge objections
Captive Generating Plant (CGP) ownership and consumption proportion compliance

Consumer Rights FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions on Electricity Law

What should a factory do upon receiving a Section 126 notice from MGVCL?

Under Section 126 of the Electricity Act, you have only 3 days from service of the provisional assessment order to file written objections and request a personal hearing. Advocate Rashesh Patel inspects the spot checking sheet, verifies whether the meter testing complied with standard regulations, and files an authoritative objection to reduce or quash inflated assessments.

Can DISCOM disconnect power while a billing dispute is pending before CGRF?

Under GERC Consumer Grievance Redressal regulations, once a formal grievance is registered before the CGRF and the consumer deposits the undisputed average bill amount, the distribution licensee cannot arbitrarily disconnect the power supply pending final determination by the Forum.

What is the limitation period to file an appeal before the Electricity Ombudsman?

If the consumer is aggrieved by the order passed by the CGRF or if the CGRF fails to pass an order within 45 days, an appeal/representation can be filed before the Electricity Ombudsman in Ahmedabad within 30 days from the date of the CGRF order.