Kerala Electricity Supply Code, 2005
(1) These Regulations may be called the Kerala Electricity Supply Code, 2005.
(2) They shall come into force at once.
(3) They shall apply to the State of Kerala.
(4) They shall apply to persons engaged in the business of distributing electricity as covered under Section 14 of Electricity Act, 2003 (Central Act 36 of 2003).
(1) In this Code, unless it is repugnant to the context;
(a) "Act" means the Electricity Act, 2003 (Central Act 36 of 2003) as in force from time to time;
(b) "Agreement" with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions means an agreement entered into between the Licensee and the consumer under this Code;
(c) "Apparatus" means electrical apparatus and includes all machines, fittings, accessories and appliances in which conductors are used;
(d) "Approved" means any tariffs or documents approved by the Commission;
(e) "Area of supply" means the geographic area within which a Licensee is authorised by his licence to supply electricity;
1[(e1) "assessing officer" means an officer of State Government or Board or Licensee, as the case may be designated as such by the State Government;]
(f) "Bank rate" means the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India is prepared to buy or rediscoun
(1) A Code review panel shall be set-up to review this Code by the Board or its successor body engaged in distribution with the approval of the Commission. The Panel shall consist of representatives from various entities of electricity industry. The Code Review Panel may suggest suitable changes, if any, in the Code. The Commission may notify such changes after appropriate scrutiny and approval. The Panel shall have Members comprising representatives from following organisations.
1. A Chairman, not below the rank of a Chief Engineer or equivalent level of the Board or its successor body engaged in distribution;
2. One member from SLDC;
3. One member representing each of other Distribution Licensees;
4. One member from Rural Electricity Co-operative Societies, if any;
5. One member representing each of Domestic, LT Industry and Agricultural Consumer Sectors;
6. One member representing HT/EHT consumer sector
(1) Unless otherwise agreed to between the consumer and the Licensee, the point of commencement of supply shall be at the incoming terminal of the cut-outs installed by the consumer.
(2) The voltage supplied by the Licensee shall be as follows:
(a) Low Tension (LT) Supply
(i) Single phase 240 Volts between each phase and neutral.
(ii) Three phase 415 Volts between phases.
(b) High Tension (HT) Supply
(i) Three phase 11,000 Volts (11 kV) between phases
(ii) Three phase 22,000 Volts (22 kV) between phases
(iii) Three phase 33,000 Volts (33 kV) between phases
(c) Extra High Tension (EHT) Supply
(i) Three phase 66,000 Volts (66 kV) between phases
(ii) Three phase 110,000 Volts (110 kV) between phases
(iii) Three phase 220,000 Volts (220 kV) between phases
(iv) Three phase 400,000 Volts (400 kV) between phases.
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(1) Owner or Occupier of any premises requiring supply of electricity may apply to the Licensee accompanied by a fee as per sub-clause (4) to such an officer as the Licensee may designate for receiving such applications.
(2) The application shall be accompanied by all necessary documents including the agreements, completion reports, etc., as required by the Licensee as per the approved terms and conditions of supply of the Licensee.
(3) The applicant shall make sure that the application is complete in all respects and as per the approved 'terms and conditions of supply' of the Licensee.
(4) The Licensee may require an applicant to remit non-refundable application fee as follows:
| System of supply | Application fee (Rs.) |
(1) The Licensee shall provide electricity connection to the owner or occupier of any premises requiring supply as per the timeframe under clause 8 subject to the payment of required fees, charges and security and satisfying the conditions stipulated in the approved 'terms and conditions of supply' of the Licensee by such owner or occupier of the premises:
Provided that, the Licensee shall not be responsible for the delay, if any, in extending supply, if the same is on account of delay in getting statutory clearances, right of way, land acquisition, or the delay in consumer's obligation to provide necessary clearances, or payment of required cost of works as per clause 7 and security deposit as per clause 13, or for any other similar reasons beyond the reasonable control of the Licensee. In all such cases, the Licensee shall take all reasonable steps to avoid delay:
Provided also that, the Licensee shall prepare and submit to the Commission within a month o
(1) Subject to the conditions under clause 8, the Commission authorises the Licensee under Section 46 of the Act, to recover from the owner or occupier of any premises requiring supply the expenses reasonably incurred by the Licensee for providing any electric line or electrical plant required specifically for the purpose of giving such supply:
Provided that the Licensee shall not be entitled to recover such expenditure if such expenditure is under the scheme approved by the Commission or otherwise charged in the Annual Revenue Requirements of the Licensee:
Provided also that, the Licensee may exempt any person requiring connection under clause 8(1) from payment of expenditure if such person is below poverty line requiring supply with a connected load below 500 W or if such person belongs to SC/ST category requiring supply with a connected load below 1000 W.
(2) The State Government may direct the Licensee to provide new electric connections to any c
(1) Supply where no extension of distributing main:--
(a) The Licensee shall provide electricity connection within one month of the receipt of application in accordance with clause 5 in cases where no extension of distributing main is required.
(b) The Licensee shall inspect the applicant's premises and prepare cost estimates including initial security deposits and notify the applicant within 7 days from the date of application.
3[(c) The cost estimates for LT consumers shall include the cost of service line and terminal arrangements at the premises of the applicant but shall not include the cost of meter, if connected load is below 50 kVA. For loads of 50 kVA and above connection shall be effected only after installation of separate transformer of adequate capacity, the cost of which shall be recovered from the consumer. In such cases the consumer shall provide the space for erecting such transformer.]
(d) In case of HT
(1) If any person after applying for supply of electricity with the Licensee withdraws his application or refuses to take supply, the amount of security paid under clause 14 shall be refunded to him. Amount paid for providing electric line or electric plant shall not be refunded if the Licensee has commenced the work.
(2) If a person fails to pay the sum required for extension of supply lines or other works within the time allowed by the Licensee, the Licensee may treat his application as withdrawn after giving him 30 days' notice.
(1) Where the Licensee has completed the work required for providing supply of electricity to an applicant but the installation of the applicant is not ready to receive supply, the Licensee shall serve a notice on the applicant to take supply within sixty days of service of the notice in the case of LT consumers and 90 days in the case of HT & EHT consumers.
(2) If after service of notice the applicant fails to take supply of electricity, the Licensee may charge fixed/minimum charges as per the tariff in force for completed months after expiry of notice till the applicant avail supply.
The Licensee shall maintain section wise priority register for each category of connections based on classification under sub-clauses 1,2,3, and 4 of clause 8. Release of connection to consumers shall be based on priority of their date of application.
If a purchaser of a premise requires to have a new connection, as the earlier connection has already dismantled after disconnection, the arrear, if any, shall be realised from the previous owner/occupier of the premises and not from the purchaser.
(1) A distribution Licensee may require from any person who requires supply of electricity to his premises to provide security for payment of all monies due to the Licensee in respect of electricity supplied to such person.
(2) The security charged by the Licensee shall be as per the rates approved by the Commission.
(3) If any person refuses to give such security, the Licensee may refuse to give supply of electricity.
(4) The Licensee shall require a consumer having monthly billing, at all times maintain with the Licensee an amount equivalent to the two months electricity bill as security and for consumers having bimonthly billing shall maintain equivalent to three months electricity bills as security during the period of agreement in force;
5A[(5) The Licensee shall review the adequacy of security deposit of all consumers in the first quarter of every financial year or when tariff revision is effected based on the average consumption of prece
(1) All applicants for new connections shall pay in advance a security equivalent to the estimated two months/three months estimated electricity bills as the case may be. The estimated electricity charges shall include total charges for the electricity to be supplied as per the tariff in force from time to time. The Licensee may collect the security towards meter rent on the same basis, if such meter is provided by the Licensee.
(2) In the case of where the consumer has enhanced or reduced the contracted demand or connected load, the security deposit enhanced or reduced accordingly. In such cases, the security deposit shall be calculated same as in the case of a new service.
(3) If the applicant does not make payment of Initial Security Deposit in terms of this clause, the Licensee can refuse to release supply.
(4) The Licensee shall appropriately adjust the initial security deposit after effecting the supply, on the expiry of two months or three months, as the
Subject to the conditions under clause 7, the Licensee may require security from the owner or occupier of premises who require a supply of electricity, for the payment of all monies due to him in respect of any electric plant or electric line provided for supplying electricity to such person.
(1) Licensee shall pay interest on security deposit to the consumer at bank rate prevailing as on 1st April of the financial year for which interest is due. Payment of interest charges shall be effective from April 1, 2005 onwards.
(2) The accrued interest on security deposit for each financial year shall be credited to the consumer's account during the first quarter of the subsequent financial year and be adjusted against electricity bill.
(3) The Licensee shall pay interest at twice the rate specified under sub-clause (1) above for the delay in making the adjustments for interest on security deposit.
Where an agreement for supply of electricity is terminated as per the Terms and Conditions of supply, the Licensee shall be required to refund the security deposit if any, after making adjustments for the amounts outstanding from the consumer to the Licensee, within fifteen days of the effective date of termination of the agreement:
Provided that if such refund is delayed beyond the period of 15 days as specified above, the Licensee shall pay interest at twice the rate specified under clause 16 (1) from the date of termination of the agreement.
(1) The Licensee is entitled to recover from a consumer on the basis of a bill, the following:
(a) Charges for electricity supplied based on the approved tariff in force;
(b) Wheeling charges, surcharges, additional surcharges applicable as approved by the Commission;
(c) any miscellaneous charges applicable as approved by the Commission;
(d) any tax or duty as notified by the Government.
(2) On request by the consumer, the Licensee shall provide a copy of its tariff applicable to the consumer at cost and clarifications sought by the consumer shall be provided to his satisfaction.
(3) The Licensee shall furnish the schedule of miscellaneous charges applicable to any consumer for the approval of the Commission. The schedule of miscellaneous charges shall be part of the approved terms and conditions of supply of the Licensee and any change thereto shall be effective only with the approval of the Commission.
(4) A
(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
(1) The Licensee shall arrange for special reading of meter on an application accompanied with specified fee, for the purpose of billing if the owner or the occupant vacates/changes occupancy of the premises. The application shall be given at least 15 days in advance of the said vacating of the premises for arranging special meter reading.
(2) The Licensee shall arrange special meter reading and issue a final bill in such cases including all arrears up to date within 7 days of meter reading.
(3) Once a final bill has been issued on the basis of special meter reading, the Licensee shall have no claim for any prior period other than the final bill amount.
(4) The Licensee shall charge a fee for the above service as approved by the Commission.
(1) The bill issued to a consumer shall contain the following:
(a) Bill date, name and address of issuing Office of the Licensee;
(b) Name of Consumer, Address, Consumer No.;
(c) Period covered by the bill;
(d) Type of service and the relevant tariff applicable to the consumer;
(e) The dates and values of current and previous meter readings or estimates (If applicable);
(f) Energy consumption, other billing parameters applicable, if any, such as contract demand/connected load, power factor, etc.;
(g) Applicable charges: fixed (minimum charges)/energy/taxes/rebate/adjustments/interest/arrears;
(h) The amount of arrears or credits outstanding to the consumers account;
(i) Net amount payable;
(j) Due date of payment;
(k) Summary of payment methods;
(l) Date of disconnection if payment is not made;
(m) Contact telephone
(1) The consumer shall pay the bill at the specified collection centre of the Licensee during the designated working hours of any working day as specified by the Licensee. The Licensee may also arrange any other facility for payment of bill for the convenience of the consumers.
(2) The Licensee shall specify its accepted mode of payment of bills and publicise the same for the benefit of consumers.
(3) The Licensee shall give seven (7) days time from the bill date for payment of the bill by the consumer. If the due date of payment of bill falls on public holidays, the next working day shall be treated as the due date.
(4) The consumer shall pay the bill in full through any of the means specified by the Licensee and the Licensee shall issue a receipt to the consumer for payment as proof of payment.
(5) In case of dishonour of the payment instruments of the consumer, the Licensee may initiate action for disconnection for non-payment. The Licensee shall have
In the case of belated payments, penal interest at the rate of 12% per annum based on actual number of days of delay from the due date up to a period of 30 days and thereafter at the rate of 18% per annum for the entire period of default from the due date shall be charged by the Licensee.]
(1) Any complaint with regard to the accuracy of the bill shall be made in writing to the designated officer of the Licensee who issues the bill. Calculation errors, if any, shall be rectified and corrected bill shall be issued on the same day by the Officer who issued the bill. In all other cases revised bill shall be issued only by designated officer of the Licensee after verification of the bona fides of the complaint.
(2) On a complaint by any consumer regarding the correctness of a bill, the Licensee shall immediately carry out a review. The Licensee may issue a revised bill and appropriately adjust the bill amount, if the review establishes that the bill is incorrect. If in the review it was found that the consumer was overcharged, the amount overcharged along with interest at twice the bank rate may be adjusted in subsequent bill.
(3) While issuing a revised bill the Licensee:
(a) shall specify the amount to be recovered as a separate item in the co
(1) The Licensee shall not disconnect supply to a consumer except in the following conditions:
(a) At the request of the consumer;
(b) The Licensee is mandated to do so by a person with legal authority to issue such mandate;
(c) The Licensee is entitled to do so under an agreement with the consumer;
(d) The Licensee reasonably believes that the consumer has contravened the provisions of the Code/Act, which entitle the Licensee to disconnect the supply;
(e) Licensee reasonably believes that the failure to disconnect may or is likely to cause health hazard or safety risk or damage to property or to the consumer or to any other person;
(f) The Licensee reasonably believes that the consumer's installation does not comply with the applicable rules or any other reasonable requirements prescribed by the Licensee;
6[(g) In the case of non payment of dues on electricity charges after giving
(1) If the disconnection is for non-payment of dues, the Licensee shall reconnect the consumer on the same day once he has settled the dues.
(2) If the omission and commission, which lead to disconnection under clause 25(1)(b) to 25(1)(f), has been remedied then reconnection has to be given immediately.
(3) The Licensee may charge a fee to reconnect the consumer as approved by the Commission.
(1) A consumer shall provide and maintain sufficient protection to the metering and associated equipments to the satisfaction of the Licensee.
(2) The Licensee shall ensure that all electricity supply lines and equipments that are belonging to the Licensee or under its control in the consumers' premises, are in a safe condition and in all respects are fit for supplying energy and further the Licensee shall take adequate precaution to avoid dangers arising on such premises from such supply lines and equipment.
(3) The consumer or occupant of the premises or installation for which Licensee had provided electricity service, shall not tamper or permit tamper, distress or damage to the electrical plant, lines or metering equipment provided by the Licensee.
(4) The Licensee shall provide seals or other appropriate devices in respect of metering equipment to detect the interference and shall maintain a register of all relevant security devices and seals.
(5) If
I. Unauthorised use of electricity.- (1) If on an inspection of any place or premises or after inspection of the equipments, gadgets, machines, devices found connected or used, or after inspection of records maintained by any person, the assessing officer comes to the conclusion that such person is indulging in unauthorised use of electricity, he shall provisionally assess to the best of his judgement the electricity charges payable by such person or by any other person benefited by such use.
(2) The order of provisional assessment shall be served upon the person in occupation or possession or in charge of the place or premises in such manner as may be prescribed.
(3) The person, on whom an order has been served under sub-section (2), shall be entitled to file objections, if any, against the provisional assessment before the assessing officer, who shall, after affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing to such person, pass a final order of assessment within t
(1) The Licensee or any person duly authorised by the Licensee with proper identification card may, at any reasonable time, and on informing the occupier of his intention, enter any premises to which electricity is, or has been supplied by him, of any premises or land, under, over, along, across in or on which the electric supply lines or other works have been lawfully placed by him for the purpose of:
(a) Taking meter reading, inspecting, testing, repairing or altering the electric supply lines, meters, works and apparatus for the supply of electricity belonging to the Licensee; or
(b) Removing where a supply of electricity is no longer required, or where the Licensee is authorised to take away and cut off such supply, any electric supply lines, meters, fittings, works or apparatus belonging to the Licensee.
(c) A Licensee or any other person authorised as aforesaid may also, in pursuance of a special order in this behalf made by an Exec
(1) A Licensee shall ensure that the notices issued under this Code to a consumer are in accordance with the Code and in writing and are expressed in English or Malayalam. The Licensee shall specify the reason for notice and the likely action by the Licensee with a request to the consumer to contact local office of the Licensee.
(2) Any notice under this Code shall be served to the consumer, by registered post/under certificate of posting, by courier or other similar means, delivered by hand to the person residing at consumer's address, affixed at a conspicuous part of such premises in case there is no person to whom the same can with reasonable diligence be delivered.
(3) In addition to the methods under sub-clause (2) above, the Licensee may resort to any of the following means:
(a) through special messenger and obtaining signed acknowledgment or
(b) by telegraphic message or
(c) by fax or
(d) by e-mail.
(4)
The Licensee within one month of coming into force of this Code shall submit to the Commission for approval the "Draft Terms and Conditions of Supply" in accordance with this Code inter alia detailing out the following:
(a) Application form for supply of electricity;
(b) Estimate amount for giving WP/OH service connection;
(c) Estimate amount for giving service connection -- HT;
(d) Estimate amount for extension of line -- Single Phase/Three Phase LT;
(e) Estimate amount for extension of line -- HT/EHT;
(f) Estimate amount for HT/EHT sub-station;
(g) Format of agreement for supply of electricity;
(h) Format of installation completion report;
(i) Format of no-objection certificate;
(j) Initial Security deposit towards charges for power supply for different category of consumers (LT, HT and EHT);
(k) Security deposit for meter/metering equipmen
(1) In case of any difficulty in giving effect to any of the provisions of these Regulations, the Commission may, by general or special order, direct the Licensee to take suitable action, not being inconsistent with the provisions of Electricity Act, 2003, which appears to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty.
(2) The Licensee may make an application to the Commission and seek suitable orders to remove any difficulties that may arise in implementation of these Regulations.
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