Section 15 in Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code and Other Conditions of Supply) Regulations, 2005
15. Billing.
- 15.1 Intervals for Billing and Presentation of Bill. - 15.1.1 Except where the consumer receives supply through a pre-payment meter, the Distribution Licensee shall issue bills to the consumer at intervals of at least once in every two months in respect of consumers in town and cities and at least once in every three months in respect of all other consumers, unless otherwise specifically approved by the Commission for any consumer or class of consumers.15.2Bill Details. - 15.2.1 The bill to the consumer shall include all charges, deposits, taxes and duties due and payable by the consumer to the Distribution Licensee for the period billed, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, these Regulations and the schedule of charges as approved by the Commission under Regulation 18.15.2.2The Distribution Licensee shall, upon request by the consumer, explain the detailed basis of computation of the consumer's bill.15.2.3Unless otherwise agreed between the Distribution Licensee and the consumer, the bill shall be in Marathi and / or in English.15.2.4The bill shall include, inter alia, the following information:(a)Consumer No., name and address;(b)Name of office of Distribution Licensee having jurisdiction over the supply;(c)(i)Type of supply (i.e. single phase, three-phase LT or HT);(ii)Contract demand / Sanctioned Load;(d)Category of consumer (i.e. domestic, commercial etc.);(e)Meter No.;(f)Billing period (dates to be mentioned);(g)Previous meter reading of the billing period / cycle with date;(h)Present meter reading of the billing period / cycle with date;(i)Multiplying Factor of the meter;(j)Number of units (e.g. kWh, RkVAh / kVArh, kVAh, etc.) consumed during the billing period and, where relevant for determination of charges, during different time slots in the billing period;(k)Maximum demands during the billing period;(l)Average power factor during the billing period;(m)Last six months consumption;(n)Date of the bill and due date of payment;(o)Billing details - The details for the current month demand and arrears shall be furnished in the bills;(p)Security deposit details;(q)Table showing the various components of applicable tariff;(r)Details of subsidy, if any, under Section 65 of the Act;(s)Mode of payment and collection facilities;(t)Telephone number and address of Customer Service Centre where the consumer can make a bill-related complaint;(u)Telephone numbers and address of the Forum constituted in accordance with the Grievance Redressal Regulations;(v)In case of cheques and bank drafts, the receiving authority in whose favour the amount should be drawn.15.2.5A notice of disconnection to a consumer under Section 56 of the Act shall be served in the manner provided for in Section 171 of the Act:Provided that such notice may be served only where the consumer neglects to pay any sum or any charge under Section 56 of the Act:Provided further that such notice shall be served separately and shall not form part of the bill.15.3Billing in the Absence of Meter Reading. - 15.3.1 In case for any reason the meter is not accessible, and hence is not read during any billing period, the Distribution Licensee shall send an estimated bill to the consumer:Provided that the amount so paid will be adjusted after the readings are taken during the subsequent billing period(s).15.3.2If the meter remains inaccessible after two consecutive efforts to effect a meter reading, then in addition to any remedy available to the Distribution Licensee under Section 163 of the Act, the consumer shall be served not less than seven clear working days' notice to keep open the premises for taking the meter reading on the days stated in the notice:Provided that the notice shall also indicate the times at which the Authorised Representative shall remain present to read the meter.15.3.3Where the consumer fails to keep the meter accessible on the days and at the times stated in the notice in Regulation 15.3.2 above, the same shall be deemed to be a refusal of entry under the provisions of sub-section (3) of Section 163 of the Act and the consequences thereunder shall apply.15.3.4Without prejudice to the provisions of the Act, nothing in Regulation 15.3.3 shall apply where the consumer has provided prior intimation to the Distribution Licensee, with cogent reasons, of any temporary inaccessibility to the meter and has sought a facility for advance payment in accordance with Regulation 15.6.15.3.5For the purpose of this Regulation 15.3, the estimated bill shall be computed based on the recorded consumption of the last billing cycle for which the meter has been read by the Distribution Licensee.15.4Billing in the Event of Defective Meters. - 15.4.1 Subject to the provisions of Part XII and Part XIV of the Act, in case of a defective meter, the amount of the consumer's bill shall be adjusted, for a maximum period of three months prior to the month in which the dispute has arisen, in accordance with the results of the test taken subject to furnishing the test report of the meter alongwith the assessed bill :Provided that, in case of broken or damaged meter seal, the meter shall be tested for defectiveness or tampering. In case of defective meter, the assessment shall be carried out as per clause 15.4.1 above and, in case of tampering as per Section 126 or Section 135 of the Act, depending on the circumstances of each case.Provided further that, in case the meter has stopped recording, the consumer will be billed for the period for which the meter has stopped recording, up to a maximum period of three months, based on the average metered consumption for twelve months immediately preceding the three months prior to the month in which the billing is contemplated.15.5Payment of Bills. - 15.5.1 The due date for the payment of a bill shall be mentioned on the bill and such due date shall be not less than twenty-one days from the bill date in the case of residential and agricultural consumers, and not less than fifteen days in the case of other consumers.15.5.2In case the consumer does not receive the bill or, having received the bill, has lost the bill, he shall, before the receipt of the next bill, report the same to the officer designated by the Distribution Licensee to address such cases.15.5.3Where the consumer visits the office of the designated officer in person, the designated officer shall, after verifying the identity of the consumer, communicate to the consumer, on the spot, the amount of the bill and due date for payment, and arrange to issue a duplicate bill within three days from the date on which the consumer reported the non-receipt or loss of bill, as the case may be:Provided that where the consumer reports the non-receipt or loss of bill over the telephone, the designated officer may also communicate the amount of the bill over the telephone, after completion of suitable identity verification procedure:Provided further that the non-receipt of bill or loss of bill does not excuse the consumer from discharging his obligation to make payment within the due date for payment of electricity charges.15.5.4A consumer who neglects to pay his bill is liable for levy of delayed payment charges and interest on arrears in accordance with relevant the orders of the Commission, appropriation of security deposit and / or disconnection of supply in accordance with the provisions of the Act and these Regulations.15.5.5The Distribution Licensee may offer incentives to consumers for making prompt or early payment of their bills, in accordance with the relevant orders of the Commission.15.6Advance Payment. - 15.6.1 The Distribution Licensee shall provide consumers the facility to make advance payment of charges for electricity supplied.15.6.2On payment of the advance amount in accordance with Regulation 15.6.1 above, the Distribution Licensee shall issue a receipt to the consumer for the amount held as advance.15.6.3The Distribution Licensee shall pay interest on the amount deposited by a consumer at a rate equivalent to the bank rate of the Reserve Bank of India.15.7Settlement of Arrears in Bill Payments. - 15.7.1 The Distribution Licensee may, at its discretion, allow consumers the facility of payment of arrears by way of installments:Provided that the facility of payment of arrears by way of installments shall not affect the liability of the consumers to pay interest and additional charges for delayed payment as per the relevant orders of the Commission from time to time, until all arrears have been cleared.
