51. [ Exercise in certain cases of powers of telegraph authority
.-Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 12 to 16 (both inclusive) and sections 18 and 19, the Central Government in the case of intra-State transmission system and the State Government in the case of intra-State transmission system, as the case may be, may, by order in writing, for the placing of electric supply-lines, appliances and apparatus for the transmission of energy or for the purpose of telephonic or telegraphic communication necessary for the proper co-ordination of works, confer upon any public officer, Central Transmission Utility, State Transmission Utility, licensee, transmission licensee or any other person engaged in the business of transmission or supplying energy to the public under this Act, subject to such conditions and restrictions (if any), as the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, may think fit to impose, and to the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885), any of the powers which the telegraph authority possesses under the Act, with respect to the placing of telegraph lines and posts for the purposes of a telegraph established or maintained by the Government or to be so established or maintained.][51-A. State Government to have powers and obligations of a licensee under this Act.-Where the State Government engages in the business of supplying energy to the public, it shall have all the powers and obligations of a licensee under this Act:Provided that nothing in sections 3 to 11 (both inclusive), section 21, sub-sections (2) and (3), sections 22 and 27 or in clauses I to V (both inclusive), clause VII and clauses IX to XII (both inclusive) of the Schedule relating to the duties and obligations of a licensee shall apply to the State Government:Provided further that the provisions of clause VI of the Schedule shall apply to the State Government in respect of that area only where distribution mains have been laid by the State Government and the supply of energy through any of them has commenced.]
