Month: August 2021

Table of Contents

• What is SPPU?
• What are the common reasons for complaints in SPPU?
• What is sexual harassment?
• How to file a complaint in SPPU?
• What is the role of the Internal Complaints Committee in SPPU?
• How does the SPPU solve a matter?
• Where can one find the official email addresses and contact numbers?

What is SPPU?

The University of Pune was established under the Pune University Act 1949. In 2014, it was renamed Savitribai Phule Pune University in honour of Savitribai Phule, who transformed the lives of many women and Dalit communities in Maharashtra in the 19th century.

Savitribai Phule University, commonly known as SPPU, was ranked 7th amongst many universities in India in 2018. It ranks between 651 and 700 in the QS World University Ranking 2021. It is one of the top leading universities in India, having several departments and centres, which offers courses in science, social science, law, management, etc.

What are the common reasons for feuds in SPPU (Savitribai Phule Pune University)?

Like many other universities, SPPU’s management also faces troubles that impact student’s social and schooling lives. Here is the list of such common issues:

• Student monitoring
• Course management
• Teacher evaluation
• Classroom management strategy
• Admission and enrolment
• Online registration
• Student harassment issues
• Improper communication

But the most common amongst these are the issues related to exams. Many students are helpless to login into the Student Profile System or fill the examination forms on time due to internet issues.

What is sexual harassment?

• Physical contact and advances; or
• A demand or request for sexual favours; or
• Making sexual coloured remarks; or
• Showing pornography; or
• Any unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.

Besides the mentioned points, if either of the following also occurs, it has to be termed under sexual harassment:

• Implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment in her employment; or
• The implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in her employment; or
• The implied or explicit threat about her present or future employment status; or
• Interference with her work or creating an intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment for her; or
• Humiliating treatment is likely to affect her health or safety.

How to file a complaint in SPPU (Savitribai Phule Pune University)?

Method 1:- Students can contact the grievance redressal cell of the college and inform them regarding their issues. You can find the details here: http://www.unipune.ac.in/administration_files/grievances.htm

Method 2:- Provide feedback on the main website of the college.
Visit the page here: http://www.unipune.ac.in/university_files/feedback.htm
Choose the feedback type.

Fill in all the details correctly, like your name, address, email, phone number and feedback.

Click on submit.

The university follows the rules of the Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act 2013, under which women can file a complaint if they face any sexual harassment at the workplace.

Method 3:- A woman has to file a complaint in writing to the Internal Committee of the SPPU within three months from the date of such harassment incident. The committee assists the woman if she is not able to write the letter. The committee can increase the time limit if it feels that the woman is powerless to write within the three months due to some genuine reasons.

The complainant needs to submit six copies of the complaint along with the supporting documents, names and addresses of the witnesses to the committee. On receipt of the complaint, the committee will send one of the copies to the respondent within seven working days and ask the respondent to file his reply to the complaint along with his list of documents, names and addresses of witnesses, within a period not exceeding ten working days from the date of receipt of the complaint by him.

Method 4:- If the students face problems related to backlog exams, they can register their problems by choosing the correct option in their student profile. Students can also select the Online Exam Grievance option if they face technical difficulties in the backlog or grade improvement exams.

Method 5:- If the students face issues regarding documents/certificates, they can now register online. One has to visit the online portal https://bcud.unipune.ac.in/CERTIFICATE/GeneralPages/Transcript_online.aspx to log in first with their details and then apply for the certificate that they need. If they still face a problem, mail at sfc@pun.unipune.ac.in.

What is the role of the Internal Complaints Committee in SPPU?

Internals Complaints Committee is committed to:

• To provide a neutral, confidential and supportive environment for members of the campus community who may have been sexually harassed;
• To advise complainants of the informal and formal means of resolution
• To ensure the fair and timely resolution of sexual harassment complaints;
• To provide information regarding counselling and support services on our campus
• To ensure that students, faculty and staff are provided with current and comprehensive materials on sexual harassment and assault;
• To promote awareness about sexual harassment through educational initiatives that encourage and fosters a respectful and safe campus environment.

How does the SPPU solve a matter?

• Serving as the complaint redressal mechanism
• Dissemination of Information through the creation of resource material
• Gender sensitization Workshops: As a part of the awareness-raising activity, workshops are conducted in different departments at the University, its affiliated colleges and for other organizations.
• Counselling: As part of this University has also introduced counselling services, and posters of the same are displayed on campus.

During the year 2014 – 2015, the committee undertook the following activities along with complaint redressal:

• Brainstorming with ICC members and the University authorities over the new legislation
• Creation of the website for awareness generation (http://www.unipune.ac.in/snc/womens_studies_centre/icc/)
• Creation and dissemination of new posters and pamphlets for awareness generation (copies attached)
• Organization of awareness-raising workshops in the Girls’ and Boys’ hostels, Dept.s and colleges to discuss the question of sexual harassment

Where can one find the official email addresses and contact numbers of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU)?

One has to visit the link here http://www.unipune.ac.in/university_files/contact_information.htm to find all the email addresses and contact numbers of various officials, like Registrar, Vice-Chancellor, various examination centres, etc.

One can visit this link http://www.unipune.ac.in/university_files/certificatesection_Contact.htm to find the mail and contact numbers of various departments.

If you have a education complaint and not getting a solution from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) then file a complaint at Voxya, is an online consumer complaint forum resolving consumer complaints with an optimal solution, trusted by thousands of consumers across India.

Table of Contents

• What is CPGRAMS?
• What is the role of CPGRAMS?
• How to file a complaint in the PG portal?
• Types of public grievances
• How do monitoring and operational desks work?
• Frequently asked questions

What is CPGRAMS (PG Portal)?

The Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) is an online platform that allows the Indian citizen to submit grievances against various Ministries/Organisations/Departments. It is a 24×7 monitoring web-enabled system that tracks grievances through the system-generated unique registration number. CPGRAMS inspects and redresses the grievances as quickly as it can.

It is associated with the Directorate of Public Grievances (DPG) and the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). It contemplates several grievances, but some of the issues that are unconsidered for redressal include:

• RTI matters
• Sub judice cases or any problem that concerns judgment given by any court
• Personal and family disputes
• Anything that impacts upon territorial integrity of the country or its friendly relations with other countries
• Suggestions for improvement

What is the role of CPGRAMS (PG Portal)?

1. CPGRAMS receives grievances from various nodal headquarters.
2. It has the facility to create immediate subordinate departments.
3. The departments pass the grievances to the desired authority for redressal.
4. The generation of a report takes place for further review and action.
5. The reports that require action are forward to the higher authorities.
6. The system logs the local or postal grievances that get forward to the subordinate bodies.
7. The system generates the final letters, like initial acknowledgment, concluded reply, interim reply, etc. Later, the complainant receives them.

How to file a complaint in the PG portal?

Step 1:- The citizen has to register on the main website https://pgportal.gov.in/Registration.

Step 2:- Fill up the necessary details in the form. Validate the account using OTP.

Step 3:- After successful registration, log in to the official portal using your email and password. You are redirected to the main page of lodging the grievance.

Step 4:– Click on +Lodge Public Grievance or +Lodge Pension Grievance depending upon the type of issue you have.

Step 5:- Fill up the necessary details regarding Ministry/Department/Organisation, name of the complainant, address, complainant category, PIN code, state, mobile number, and the grievance description within 4000 words.

Step 6:- Click on submit, and your grievance is submitted successfully.

Step 7:- One can check the number of lodge grievances on the main page after logging in.

Types of public grievances

• Inordinate delay in taking decisions
• Extending several months to several years for taking actions
• Refuse to give replies to the public
• Do not disclose information to the petitioners so that they can examine whether their cases were monitored correctly or not.

How do monitoring and operational desks work?

Monitoring Desk:- The monitoring desk configures CPGRAMS as per the requirements of the user department. It creates various subordinate units that classify various grievances into different categories for quick redressal.

Operational Desk:- It follows a flow of actions that consist of:

Examination at the operational level:- The officers examine the case and decide whether it has to be forwarded or not. If not, it is marked pending.

Forwarded to the subordinate body:- The grievances are forward to a group of subordinates for redressal.

Type of action required:- The officers reasonably reply to the department regarding the case with a manual message or a combination of pre-generated texts electronically.

Further evaluation of the case:- The subordinates then pass the issue to the higher or lower authority depending upon the type of grievance.

Report making:- A well-articulated report is generated, sent to the complainant and subordinate for further clarification. The documents are either marked ‘pending’ or ‘disposed of’.

Disposal:– The reports are disposed of, and the case is closed if the orders have come from the authority.

Clarification from the complainant:- If the department wants to seek any other information from the complainant, a corresponding text/letter gets generated.

Clarification from the subordinate:- Additional information has to be taken from the office staff. The department receives a corresponding alert for which the complainant has filed the complaint.

What is the redress process of PG Portal?

Frequently asked questions

How much time does it take for redressing a grievance?

The redressal of a grievance takes a maximum of sixty days. If there is a further delay, the complainant gets informed regarding the same with proper reasons.

What happens after I file my grievance in PG Portal?

Every Central Ministry/Department assigns a Nodal Officer, known as the Director of Grievances, for redressing grievances. The Nodal Officer works on the areas of the particular department/ministry to resolve the complaint.

What if I am not satisfied with the redressal of my grievance?

The portal asks for feedback from the consumers once the grievance resolves. The consumer can appeal by providing mandatory ratings over there regarding dissatisfaction from the redressal.

Can the grievance be reopened once it is closed?

No! The customer needs to lodge a fresh grievance on the main website with adequate details and must wait till the grievance sorts.

How can I contact the Nodal Officers of Public Grievances in various Departments and Ministries?

One can check the main website of the PG Portal or can access using the link: https://pgportal.gov.in/Home/NodalPgOfficers.

Can I change the name of my Nodal Officer?

Yes, the consumers can change the name of their Nodal Officer. Visit the user profile in your account, edit the option and submit the name and designation of the new Nodal Officer that you want. Update the mobile and email address correctly so that the officer can receive alerts on time.

I am not able to view the attached documents. How to view them?

The user has to see the format of the attached document and install the app/software for the same. Generally, the attached document is a PDF, so one can install the latest Adobe Acrobat PDF app on their phone or the software on the laptop to view the attachment.

Will my grievance redressal come into effect?

The following conditions, if met, can implement your given redressal:

• Political mandate
• Committed and strong executive
• Willingness and capability to take on vested interests in the system

I have forgotten my ID/password, and my account is locked. What should I do?

If the account is locked, wait for 10 minutes and then retry using the correct ID and password. If it does not work, one has to send the request to reset the password on cpgrams-darpg@nic.in.

How can I deactivate my CPGRAMS (PG Portal) account?

The consumer has to request for the account deactivation through their registered emails on cpgrams-darpg@nic.in. Once the account is deactivated, the user cannot register again with the same email ID. Instead, he can request to reactivate the account.

If you are not satisfied with the services provided by the company or the seller, then file a complaint online at Voxya, an online consumer complaint forum trusted by thousands of consumers across India.

Table of Contents

• What were the rules before and after?
• Essential Points to be kept in mind
• Is it legal for couples to stay in OYO rooms?
• In what circumstances can the police authorities arrest the couple?
• What should I do if I get arrested even without committing any crime?
• Can I get compensation if I get arrested on false charges?
• Some major policies of OYO rooms

Ritesh Agarwal wouldn’t have wondered in the year 2013 that his venture, On Your Own, known as OYO, will be a huge success. OYO has now become one of the fastest-growing chains of hotels and living spaces. They provide a comfortable stay with quality rooms across India. These budgeted hotels came into the news recently for their change in rules and regulations for unmarried couples.

What were the Oyo Rooms rules before and after?

The new rules came into effect in the year 2021. Many couples are satisfied with these sets of new regulations, while some are against the disclosure of their identities publicly. What are these new rules? Let’s have a look!

Rule	Before	After
1) Documents that can be used as identity proof	Earlier, only an Aadhaar card was mandatory as the identity proof for check-in in hotels.	Now, besides the PAN card, other means of proof of identity will be accepted.
2) Food booking changes	Previously, it was mandatory to book the food and have it at the hotel premises.	In the improvised rules, the couple may or may not have the food at the hotel premises. There is an option where the couple needs to check the box on whether they want the food or not.
3) Correct details of the girl filled in the register	The couple used to ignore filling in the details of the girl to hide their identity in the public domain. The hotel workers used to assist with the same.	It is now mandatory to fill in the details of both the boy and the girl correctly. If one has to avoid unnecessary chaos and confusion from the police authorities afterward, he and she must fill in the details correctly.
4) Booking of the hotel capital/collection	Earlier, the couple was not able to book the hotel’s capital.	The boy aged 21 and above, and the girl aged 18 and above, can now book the hotel’s capital after showing the valid ID proof.

Essential Points to be kept in mind before going to Oyo Rooms

Both the boy and girl must fill in the details correctly in the register of the hotel. Do not get happy if the staff allows hiding the identity of the girl. Instead, fill the entries correctly to avoid unnecessary intervention from the police authorities. Later, police will directly question the couple and not the hotel staff.

If the hotel staff is not ready to accept other documents like identity proof, you can lodge a complaint against them on the OYO complaint portal. Besides PAN card, now the Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Voter ID or any Government Service Card is valid for the OYO rooms bookings.

OYO has launched an exquisite collection of hotels whose properties are now ready to be booked by couples. The brand collections have been termed Edition O, Capital O, Townhouse and Silver Key to bifurcate various properties. One can find all the details of these properties while booking the hotel and see their collections.

Valid ID proof of the boy, aged 21 or above, and the girl, who must be aged 18 or above, are necessary to book these collections. If the two fail to show their IDs, the authorities may question them in the future.

Tip: One must book a good hotel, i.e. a 3-star or a 4-star, for extra safety.

4. One must confirm the details regarding the floor and room are shown in the image while booking from the OYO rooms website. Sometimes the photo shown can be misleading. Therefore, to avoid wastage of time, thorough checking has to be done of the details and conditions of the rooms beforehand.
   If you have called the hotel staff, do mention the correct information in the OYO forms (if you get any) as informed by the staff member with their name and details. Transparency is the key solution to every problem!

Is it legal for couples to stay in OYO rooms?

According to Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, it is now legal for couples to stay in hotels. Article 21, Protection of Life and Personal Liberty states that- ‘No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to a procedure established by law.’ Thus, Article 21 ensures the security of two rights- a) Right to Life, and b) Right to personal liberty.

One point to be kept in mind by everyone is that, once you have booked a hotel or a property by paying for it, no person can interfere in your matter. After you have paid the rent, the public property now becomes private.

In what circumstances can the police authorities arrest the couple?

According to section 42 of CRPC (Code of Criminal Procedure), the police authorities can arrest anyone if they do not reveal their identities or try hiding their original identity. No matter what, the couple must tell their correct identity to avoid getting arrested.

The police can also arrest the couple under section 151 of the CRPC. It states- ‘A police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognizable offence may arrest, without orders from a Magistrate and a warrant, the person so designing, if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented.’

What should I do if I get arrested even without committing any crime?

Step 1:- The couple should fill in the correct identities at the registration counter of the hotel.

Step2:- Take the proof of the entries that you have made.

Step 3:- Under section 166 and 166 A of the IPC (Indian Penal Code), the couple can file a complaint against the police authorities if they unnecessarily arrest or enforce false charges on the couple.

Can I get compensation if I get arrested on false charges?

Yes, you can! If the couple gets arrested without any valid proof and the police authorities have wasted their time, they are eligible for compensation by the police staff.

The couple needs to file a Habeas Corpus (meaning, to have a body of) writ under Article 226 in High Court or Article 32 in Supreme Court. Under this writ, the Court directs the detained person to be brought before it for further examination of his detention. If the judgment is favorable to the person, then he is eligible for compensation.

Some major policies of OYO rooms

In any case, the booking must be made by a major. If there are any suspicions, the hotel authorities might cancel the bookings without providing a refund.

After reaching the hotel, if you face any trouble, then contact the OYO authorities immediately. OYO will either arrange a different accommodation in the same or alternate hotel or will compensate you if you do not accept the alternate accommodation.

The standard check-in and check-out timings are 12 noon and 11 a.m., respectively. Unless mentioned in the booking voucher, one is eligible for extra charges according to the OYO policies. Extensions can be made per the current rates and not at the original booking rate.

Check beforehand which hotels accept unmarried couples and which do not. OYO is not responsible for such confusion and will cancel the booking without giving a refund.

In case of an emergency after check-in, one can press the SOS button provided in the OYO app.

Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, illegal drugs and substances are not allowed inside the hotel premises. If the hotel authorities find any evidence, they can report it to the police immediately.

One can contact the helpline number 9313931393, or mail at https://help.oyorooms.com for any grievances.

If you are looking for a solution to Oyo rooms complaints then file a complaint at Voxya, India’s trusted platform for consumer complaints online. It helps consumers to get a replacement, refund, and compensation as soon as possible.

Table of Contents

• What is TNEB?
• What are the common reasons for complaints?
• How to register online for complaints?
• Different ways of consumer grievance redressal
• Guidelines for online payment
• Frequently asked questions

What is TNEB?

1957 was the year of establishment of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). Later on, in 2010, it restructured into Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) and Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited (TANTRANSCO). There are a total of 1300+ substations in the TANTRANSCO that caters to 200+ lakh consumers. The data is overwhelming as it has electrified around 65000 towns and villages in Tamil Nadu.

Not only this, the company has produced around 6500 million units in the year 2007-08, the highest ever recorded, from their hydel plant. The data is fascinating. Isn’t it? The board has installed over 2 lakh distribution transformers that distribute 10500 Megawatts of electricity.

What are the common reasons for complaints

• The authority has produced wrong and inappropriate bills.
• The consumer has to pay the bill without meter readings.
• The customer has to pay the bill for faulty meters.
• The consumer has to pay the bill without consuming electricity.
• The authority has given the bill receipt of a different consumer.
• The officers are unnecessarily disconnecting electricity without prior notice.
• The online payment of the customer has failed.

The most common issues reported by consumers are power cut complaint, bill complaint, electricity meter complaint, high bill complaint, power failure complaint and complaint against electricity department.

How to register online for complaints?

Step 1:- The consumer has to visit the official consumer complaint portal https://www.tnebnet.org/awp/login.

Step 2:- The consumer can sign up to register the complaint if he/she has a valid consumer number, an email account, a unique username, and a password.

Step 3:- The email has to be received after successful registration for validation. Click on the link for the verification of the account.

Step 4:- Log in to the portal using your authenticated email/username/password, and then choose the category of complaints from the options flashed on your screens.

Step 5:- In case you forget your password, there is a ‘forget password’ link available on the main page so that one can reset the forgotten password. Having an email is mandatory for this step.

Different ways of consumer grievance redressal

The consumer can call his/her nearest sub-division office to register the complaint. Or can also pass a letter to the TNEB officer.

The consumer can meet the nearest Executive Engineer, Superintending Engineer, or Chief Engineer in person during the meeting hours and file the complaint.

The Superintending Engineer holds a grievance day meeting once a month in each circle division where consumers can address their grievances for redressal.

The consumers can approach Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums of their distribution circle office. One can see the functions of the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forums here: https://www.tangedco.gov.in/linkpdf/cgrf.pdf.

The consumer can also complain in the voluntary meeting to the Chief Engineer in his office.

The consumer can file a complaint regarding power cut or damaged electric poles via WhatsApp by sending the photograph as proof of complaint on 9445850811 or call helpline number 1912.

Guidelines for online payment

In addition to the counter payment option of challan, consumers can also pay online.

Upon choosing the online payment mode, a confirmation page will pop up on the screen. Consumers must read the terms and conditions properly and then agree. After that, they will be redirected to the payment page.

The paid status is updated on the receipt once TNEB gets a confirmation from the bank. It might take 1-2 days for the update.

If the transaction fails, it is better to pay via offline challan. The consumer has to visit the bank counters for submitting the challan. If the balance gets deducted from the bank account, the consumer can expect the refund in a day or two.

The customer can check the status of the transaction from the official TNEB website. Go to the Customer Support section, click on transaction status, insert your service number along with the transaction date, and press submit. It will show the details which you were looking for.

If successful, all the status will be ‘paid’, or if not completed, they will be ‘pending’.

One can contact acctrect@tnebnet.org for any query. The person must keep the details beforehand, like application number, date of payment, bank, and mode of payment.

If the query is still not resolved, one can call 9445857635 during working hours.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the consumer number?

The consumer number is the service number seen in the white meter card or previous receipts.

How to find the region number?

The first two digits of the receipt number indicate the region number.

Is an email necessary for registration?

Yes, it is. Without email, registration is not possible.

I am not able to receive the confirmation email. What should I do?

There is a possibility that you might have typed the wrong mail ID. In this case, one has to re-register with the correct email. If you have inserted the email correctly, check your junk/spam/deleted folder in the mailbox.

Are there any charges if I pay online?

Yes, charges are applicable depending on the type of bank and card you are using for paying the TNEB bill.

Can I check my past billing details?

Yes! For this land on the official website www.tangedco.org.

After the payment, the payment web page displayed an error and did not send the confirmation email. What should I do?

If your balance got deducted from the bank account, kindly do not pay the bill again. Check your bank details and wait for some time. The confirmation mail will come after a reasonable time. If it is not refunded, then one can contact customer support for further assistance.

Can I make an advance payment?

The consumers, who do not have any pending dues, are eligible for advance payments. The amount will automatically balance in future bills.

Why should I pay ASD?

Adequacy of Security Deposit is reviewed once in two years in case of low tension consumers. If the available deposit is less than the security deposit, the consumer must pay the additional interest amount, known as the Additional Security Deposit. If the amount is unpaid, then the consumer’s electricity connection has to be shut down.

I have made the complaint to the nearest Division Officer. But my complaint is not yet resolved. What should I do?

Contact the senior authority, who is above the Division Officer, and inform them about the issue. You can also write a letter about the same.

I want to transfer my electricity connection to another name. Is this possible?

The transfer of electricity connection to another name is possible by submitting an application letter to the concerned office, along with the supporting documents. One has to pay the required fees for the transfer. All the details are available under Miscellaneous Charges in the Schedule of Tariff of Billing Services on the main website.

The wrong bill issued, electricity was disconnected, electricity load not given as per rule, frequent power cuts, etc. are the most common consumer electricity complaints. If you are facing similar issues and not getting any proper resolution from the electricity department or electricity company then you can file a complaint online at Voxya, India’s trusted platform for resolving consumer complaints helps to get a replacement, refund, return, and compensation from the company or the seller.