Section 21 in The U.P. Electricity Supply (Consumers) Regulations, 1984
21. Meters.
- (i) The amount of energy supplied to a consumer, or the electrical quantity contained in the supply, shall be ascertained by meter or meters fixed in the premises by the supplier. The meter shall ordinarily be installed at the point of entry to the building and in such manner as to make it easily and conveniently accessible to the supplier's representative for the purpose of reading and inspection.(ii)If the consumer disputes the accuracy of any meter, he may upon giving notice together with payment of the prescribed fee. have the meter tested by the supplier. In the event of the meter being found, on such test or on routine tests as may be arranged by the supplier, to be inaccurate beyond the limits of error, allowed under the Act and the Rules for the time being in force, the testing fee shall be refunded to the consumer and the bills for the last three months preceding the date of payment of testing fee shall be modified in accordance with the test results. In case the supplier desires to check the accuracy of any meter, the bills for last three months preceding the date of installation of check meter shall be modified in accordance with the test results.(iii)(a)If at any time a meter becomes defective or ceases to register the consumption and no theft or mal-practice is suspected, the electrical energy consumed by the consumer during the period the meter remained defective or stopped shall be determined on the basis of average consumption of the preceding three consecutive months.(b)If, however, the conditions in regard to use of electricity did not remain I the same during such period of three preceding months with the period during which the meter ceased to function or became defective, the electricity consumed by the consumer may be determined on the basis of connected load and hours of usage of electricity. In case of industrial consumers due regard shall be given to production figures and conditions of working during the period under question.(c)The supplier may inspect and test any meter installed at the consumer's premises, and for that purpose, if the supplier considers necessary, take off and remove any meter to its laboratory after replacing it by another meter. Before entering into the premises, the representatives of the supplier will disclose their identity and their intention for the entry/ to the consumer or his representative available on spot.(iv)(a)If the premises is locked or the meter is otherwise inaccessible for the reading, the supplier may bill the consumer on the basis of previous month's consumption subject to adjustment in subsequent bills.(b)If the meter remains inaccessible for the subsequent reading as well, the consumer shall be served with a notice to give facilities for reading the meter by a representative of the supplier at a fixed time and date. If the consumer fails to comply with the notice, the supply may be disconnected and the consumer will be charged for reasonable consumption for the second billing period subject to adjustment.(c)The visit of the Meter Reader, a representative of the supplier to the premises of the consumer for the purposes of meter reading shall not, in any way be construed to mean checking or inspection or testing of installation by the supplier.(v)In case the meter is found burnt at the consumer's premises, it shall be replaced on deposit of its cost by the consumer. If on testing or inspection in the test laboratory, the meter is found partly damaged the cost of its actual repairs will be charged and balance will be refunded to the consumer. In case the damage is not due to any fault to the consumer, the entire cost deposited by the consumer shall be refunded.(vi)The consumer will be responsible to the supplier for the safety of its meters and other apparatuses installed at his premises. The consumer shall not allow access to the supplier's meter seals or other equipments installed in his premises, to any body other than the supplier's authorised representative. The consumer will also be responsible for ensuring that the meters, and the supplier's seal affixed thereto are not damaged, broken or otherwise tampered with by any person, whatsoever, other than the duly authorised representative of the supplier. The consumer may require such representative to produce his identity card to establish his authority to represent the supplier.If the apparatus or in particular, the meter or any of the supplier's seal fixed thereto is found damaged, broken or otherwise tampered with, the consumer shall, besides the liability to the penalty prescribed in Rule 138 of the Rules, be also liable to be assessed as per Annexure-1 attached herewith alongwith retesting and resealing fee of meter, as detailed in schedule of Miscellaneous Charges.(vii)If the consumer opts to get the meter checked up through Electrical Inspector, to Government, Uttar Pradesh, in accordance with the provision of Section 26 of the Indian Electricity Act, the consumer shall not withhold payment of the bills as are sent by the supplier. Any default in payment of bills will make the consumer liable for disconnection.
