Section 19 in Kerala Electricity Supply Code, 2005
19. Meter reading.
(1)Meter reading shall be taken by the employees or the persons authorised by Licensee and record the same on the meter card provided for such purposes by the Licensee near such meter. The meter card shall be open to inspection by the consumers.(2)If Licensee is unable to base a bill on meter reading due to its non-recording or malfunctioning, the Licensee shall issue a bill based on the previous six months average consumption. In such cases the meter shall be replaced within one month.(3)The bill shall be issued within 7 days from meter reading date and the bill date shall not be more than 4 days from meter reading date. In the case of spot billing, the meter reading date and bill date shall be the same.(4)In case the Licensee issues a bill which covers a period not consistent with the billing period or a period during which consumer tariff changes, the Licensee shall issue the bill on pro-rata basis for relevant periods and show relevant details on the bill.(5)When the meter reading cannot be taken due to the premises being locked up or made inaccessible, the consumer shall be provisionally charged the average consumption for the last 6 months.(6)During the second instance of locked up premises, the consumer shall be given a written 24-hour notice to keep open the premises at a particular date and time and give facilities for reading the meter to the Licensee's designated employee. If the consumer fails to keep open the premises and give facilities for taking the meter reading as aforesaid, without giving proper reasons, the supply shall be disconnected with due notice. After taking the meter reading, the consumer shall be charged for the whole consumption since last reading less the charges already paid.(7)In cases where a consumer resides away from the premises and requests in writing that supply to his premises shall not be disconnected even though the meter may not be made accessible for reading, his request shall be complied with, provided he is agreeable to pay the fixed/minimum charges. In such cases, the consumer shall inform the Licensee's designated officer immediately on his return to the station and to make the meter available for reading. After taking the meter reading, the consumer shall be charged for the whole consumption since last reading less the charges already paid.(8)The Licensee shall levy fixed/minimum charges if any applicable to the consumer during the period of disconnection.
