Section 6(1) in The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Code of Practice for Quality of Service for City or Local Natural Gas Distribution Networks) Regulations, 2010
(1)Every entity shall comply with the following code of practice with reference to metering of domestic, commercial and industrial consumer, namely:-(a)all connections shall have duly certified gas metering equipment;(b)metering equipment installed shall comply with the prescribed technical standards as well as accuracy standards;(c)in case of existing domestic consumers being served without metering equipment, the supplying entity shall submit a time schedule to the Board for upgradation of such services with meters and implement the same within the prescribed time schedule;(d)metering equipment shall be sealed and have appropriate protective devices to prevent or detect interference or tampering;(e)meter shall be maintained and kept in working condition at all times to ensure that the billing is to be done as per actual meter readings;(f)in case the meter of a domestic consumer is not read during any billing cycle due to reasons attributable to the entity, the entity may seek information on current reading of the meter from the consumer and base its billing on the feedback received from the consumer.(g)in case the meter is not read during any billing cycle due to reasons attributable to domestic consumer, the entity shall send a provisional bill based on average consumption of the last six billing cycles;(h)the amount paid by consumers against provisional bills or bills based on consumer feedback on meter readings shall be adjusted against actual meter readings, as and when such readings are taken;(i)only actual bills shall be raised for the commercial and industrial consumers.(j)the entity shall indicate in the monthly invoice the schedule window for reading of meter area wise so that consumers would be prepared and-(i)if meter is rendered inaccessible on three consecutive billing cycles by a domestic consumer, the entity shall serve a seven days notice to consumer under proper receipt to keep open the premises for taking meter reading on dates and time indicated in the notice;(ii)if the consumer fails to comply with such notice, the entity may disconnect the gas supply;(iii)in case of request for a special reading of meters beyond working hours or on a holiday due to non availability, of consumer during the normal working hours, the entity may do so at reasonable cost to consumer;(k)the entity shall conduct periodic inspection or testing and calibration of the meters as applicable and replace defective meters within seven days;(l)the entity shall keep the following records while the meter is in service, namely:-(i)identification and location of the meter;(ii)date of installation;(iii)serial or assigned meter number;(iv)meter testing or calibration records;(m)the entity must retain all metering information regarding supplies for at least previous twelve months except for disputed cases for which records have to be retained till resolution of dispute.
