Section 10 in The Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code, 2004
10. Inaccessibility of meter for reading.
(1)When a low tension consumer leaves his installation connected to the licensee's mains but makes it inaccessible for reading by the employees of the licensee, the consumer shall, for the first occasion of such inaccessibility, be charged provisionally on the basis of the amount charged on the previous assessment. The employee of the licensee will leave an assessment slip in the premises, wherever possible.(2)[ If, on the next occasion, the meter is accessible for reading, the consumer will be charged for the actual consumption less the amount already charged, subject to the minimum monthly charges for both the periods. If, on the other hand, the meter remains inaccessible on the second occasion also, the consumer will be served with a 48 hours notice to open his premises at a fixed time and date to enable an employee of the licensee to read the meter. In the said 48 hours notice, the consumer shall be also be informed that the supply to his premises will be disconnected as per Section 163(3) of the Electricity Act, 2003. If the meter is now made accessible for reading, the consumer will be charged the actual consumption less the provisional amount charged and paid for the first period of inaccessibility subject to the minimum monthly charges for both the periods. If the meter remains inaccessible even after the 48 hours notice, the supply to the premises will be disconnected and for that period also provisional amount as in the case of previous occasion will be charged.] [Substituted by Commissions Notification No.TNERC/SC/7-22 dated21.2.2011 (w.e.f. 23.3.2011).](3)If the meter is made accessible, subsequent to the disconnection, for purpose of reading the meter and settling accounts or for re-connection of the service, as the case may be, the consumer will be barged the actual consumption subject to the minimum monthly charges payable for both periods less the two provisional amounts levied and paid for the two periods of inaccessibility. Re-connection charges, if any, shall also be levied. Any excess amount collected will be adjusted in future current consumption charges.(4)[ When a high tension consumer leaves his installation connected to the licensee's mains but makes the meter inaccessible for reading by the employees of the licensee, the employees of the licensee will serve the consumer with a 48 hours notice to open his premises for reading of the meter at a fixed time. If the meter is now made available for reading, the readings will be taken. In the said 48 hours notice, the consumer shall be also be informed that the supply to his premises will be disconnected as per Section 163(3) of the Electricity Act, 2003. If the meter remains inaccessible even after the 48 hours notice, the supply to the premises will be disconnected and the consumer will be charged provisionally on the basis of the amount charged for the previous month. If the meter is made accessible subsequent to the disconnection, the consumer will be charged the actual consumption less the provisional amount charged subject to minimum monthly charges. All re-connections shall attract re-connection charges over and above the other charges as are applicable.] [Substituted by Commissions Notification No. TNERC/SC/7-22 dated 21.2.2011 (w.e.f. 23.3.201l).](5)Serving of notices to the consumers with regard to the provisions under the sections above, can be executed by pasting the same at a conspicuous place at the premises.
