The AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has amended the APERC Compensation to Victims of Electrical Accidents Regulation, 2017, (Principal Regulation) to facilitate payment of compensation even in cases where there is no wrongful act, omission, rashness, neglect or default on the part of the power distribution companies (DISCOMs) and irrespective of the place of an accident in the manner specified under chapter-Ill of the Principal Regulation.
The APERC made the amendment in exercise of its powers under sections 181(2) (za) and (zb) (read with sections 57 and 59 of the Electricity Act, 2003). A notification to this effect was published in the A.P. Gazette on December 27, 2023.
It was mentioned in the notification that the CMD of the eastern DISCOM had recently requested the APERC to amend the regulation(s) to give directions on the quantum of ex gratia under different scenarios of electrical accidents that occur to non-departmental persons and animals in a DISCOM network and where there it (the DISCOM) is not at fault.
