Section 14 in Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code and Other Conditions of Supply) Regulations, 2005
14. Meters.
-14.1Supply and Cost of Meter. - 14.1.1 Except where the consumer elects to purchase a meter, the Distribution Licensee may require the consumer to provide security for the price of the meter in accordance with the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 47 of the Act.Provided that in no case shall the amount of the security exceed the price of the meter.Provided further that the Distribution Licensee shall pay to the consumer interest at a rate equivalent to the bank rate of the Reserve Bank of India, on the amount of security deposit maintained by the consumer under this Regulation 14.1.1.14.1.2The charges for hiring of meters by a consumer shall be in accordance with the approved schedule of charges under Regulation 18.14.1.3Consumers may elect to purchase a meter from the Distribution Licensee or from any supplier of correct meters in accordance with specifications laid down by the Authority in the regulations made under Section 55 of the Act:Provided that till the regulations are specified by the Authority under Section 55 of the Act, consumers may purchase the meter in accordance with specifications laid down by the Distribution Licensee:Provided further that where the consumer elects to purchase the meter from a supplier other than the Distribution Licensee, the Distribution Licensee shall be entitled to test the correctness of the meter prior to installation:Provided also that consumers who elect to purchase a meter from the Distribution Licensee shall purchase such meter from the Distribution Licensee at such price as approved by the Commission under Regulation 18.14.2Lost / Burnt Meters. - 14.2.1 Any complaint to the Distribution Licensee regarding a lost meter shall be accompanied by a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) lodged with the appropriate police station.14.2.2Supply in these cases, if cut-off, shall be restored after installation of a new meter and payment by the consumer of the price of the meter, the cost of other apparatus, and any other applicable deposits and charges based on the approved schedule of charges under Regulation 18:Provided that the estimated electricity charges for the period for which meter was not available due to loss of meter may be billed to the consumer in the ensuing bill after supply is restored.14.2.3Where, upon a complaint by the consumer or inspection by the Authorised Representative, the meter is found to be burnt, it shall be replaced and supply restored to the consumer.Provided that the Distribution Licensee may recover the price of the new meter from the consumer:Provided further that the estimated electricity charges for the period for which meter was not available due to burning of meter may be billed to the consumer in the ensuing bill after supply is restored.14.2.4Except in the case of a burnt meter or a lost meter, the Distribution Licensee shall not be authorized to recover the price of the meter more than once during the continuance of supply to the consumer.14.3Reading of Meter. - Meter readings shall be undertaken by the Authorised Representative at least once in every three months in the case of agricultural consumers, and atleast once in every two months in the case of all other consumers, unless otherwise specifically approved by the Commission for any consumer or class of consumers.14.4Testing and Maintenance of Meter.. - 14.4.1 The Distribution Licensee shall be responsible for the periodic testing and maintenance of all consumer meters.14.4.2The consumer may, upon payment of such testing charges as may be approved by the Commission under Regulation 18, request the Distribution Licensee to test the accuracy of the meter:Provided that the consumer may require the Distribution Licensee to get the meter tested at such facility as may be approved by the Commission.14.4.3The Distribution Licensee shall provide a copy of the meter test report to the consumer within a period of two months from the date of request for testing of meter by the consumer.14.4.4In the event of the meter being tested and found to be beyond the limits of accuracy prescribed in the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956, till the regulations are specified by the Authority under Section 55 of the Act, the Distribution Licensee shall refund the testing charges paid by the consumer and adjust the amount of the bill in accordance with the results of the test as specified in Regulation 15.4 below.
