Section 12 in Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations, 2015
12. Disconnection and Reconnection of Service.
- 12.1 The supply may be disconnected temporarily or on a permanent basis as per the procedure described below. The Distribution Licensee shall remove service line, meter etc. after permanent disconnection. However, the Distribution Licensee may not remove service line, meter etc in case of temporary disconnection.12.2The charges for connection, reconnection and disconnection shall be in accordance with the Schedule of Charges given in these Regulations. Temporary Disconnection12.3The supply may be disconnected temporarily in following cases-(a)On non-payment of the Distribution Licensee's dues: Where a consumer neglects to pay any charge for supply electricity or any other sum due from him to the Distribution Licensee, by the due date mentioned in the bill, the Distribution Licensee may, after giving not less than fifteen (15) clear days' notice in writing to such person and without prejudice to his rights to recover such charge or other sum by suit, cut off supply of electricity and for that purpose disconnect any electric supply line or other works being the property of such licensee through which electricity may have been supplied, distributed or wheeled and may discontinue the supply until such charge or other sum, together with any expenses incurred by him in cutting off and reconnecting the supply, are paid, but no longer:Provided, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no sum due from any consumer, under this section shall be recoverable after a period of two years from the date when such sum became first due unless such sum has been shown continuously as recoverable as arrears of charges for electricity supplied and the Distribution Licensee shall not cut off the supply of the electricity.(b)If the conduct/continuance of any business/industry/activity being carried out in any premises becomes unlawful due to lack of necessary permission or withdrawal of permission from the competent authority;(c)If the wiring, apparatus, equipment or installation at the consumer's premises is found to be defective or there is leakage of electricity or if the consumer is found to have altered the position of the meter and related apparatus or if the consumer uses any apparatus or appliance or uses the energy in such manner as to endanger the service lines, equipment, electric supply mains and other works of the Distribution Licensee, or is found to be using it in any manner which unduly or improperly interferes with the efficient supply of energy to any other consumer.(d)If at any time the consumer is found to be using energy for a purpose other than for which it was intended / provided or tampers with the meter and/or other apparatus of the Distribution Licensee on his premises or extends/allows supply of energy to any other premises from his connection.12.4The supply shall be disconnected after giving a notice period of minimum 15 clear days. The supply shall be disconnected only if the cause of the disconnection is not removed within the notice period.12.5The Distribution Licensee shall, after the connection is temporarily disconnected as per sub clauses (b), (c) and (d) of clause 12.3 above, issue a notice to the consumer as per format given in Annexure 17 to these Regulations, to remove the cause of disconnection within 45 days failing which the supply shall be disconnected permanently.12.6The Distribution Licensee may take steps to prevent unauthorised reconnection of consumers disconnected in the manner as described above. Wherever the Distribution Licensee discovers that connection has been re-connected in a unauthorised manner, licensee may initiate action as per provisions of Section 138 of the Act. Further, in case the Distribution Licensee discovers that supply to such premises has been restored through another live connection, all pending dues of the said disconnected connection shall be transferred to such live connection's account and non-payment of such transferred dues may be treated as per clause (a).Permanent Disconnection.12.7- The supply shall be disconnected permanently in following cases:(a)On the termination of the Agreement(b)If the cause for which the supply was temporarily disconnected is not removed within the notice period:Provided that if the service of the consumer remains continuously disconnected for 180 days, not being a temporary disconnection upon request of the consumer, the Agreement shall be deemed to be terminated on the expiry of 15 days without prejudice to the rights of the Distribution Licensee or of the consumer under the Act for recovery of any amount due under the Agreement.Disconnection on Consumer's Request.12.8- In case a consumer desires his meter to be permanently disconnected, he shall apply for the same in the format prescribed in Annexure 15 to these Regulations. The Distribution Licensee shall give a written acknowledgment of receipt of such request, on the spot.12.9The Distribution Licensee shall carry out a special reading and prepare a final bill including all arrears up to the date of such billing within 5 days from receipt of the request. Upon payment, the Distribution Licensee shall issue a receipt with 'Final Bill' stamped on it. This receipt shall be treated as a No Dues Certificate:Provided that whenever an agreement is terminated on notice given by the consumer, the Distribution Licensee shall give a written intimation within five (5) working days after termination in the format given in Annexure 16 to these Regulations, failing which such intimation shall be deemed to have been given to the consumer.12.10In case of consumers who were sanctioned phased contract demand and supply was released for initial or intermediary phased demands, the consumer may seek deferment or cancellation of such of the phased demands which are scheduled beyond minimum period of Agreement, by giving 3 months' notice in advance or in lieu thereof pay 3 months' charges towards such deferment or cancellation of such phased demands.12.11Thereafter, the Distribution Licensee shall not have any right to recover any charge(s) for any period prior to this date of billing. The Distribution Licensee shall not raise any bill after disconnection.12.12HT/EHT consumers shall also bear the estimated expenditure on removal of the apparatus and service line. The Distribution Licensee shall issue a demand note to the consumer in writing, under acknowledgment, within 10 working days of receipt of request.Reconnection.12.13- If any service is disconnected on account of non-payment of electricity charges, or any other charges that may be due, by the consumer to the Distribution Licensee, the consumer has to pay the charges due from him in addition to charges for disconnection and reconnection, as may be approved by the Commission from time to time.12.14The Distribution Licensee shall restore the electrical supply after receipt of due charges along with disconnection and reconnection charges within 4 hours in Class-I cities and Urban areas, and within 12 hours in Rural areas.
