WHAT SHOULD YOU DO ?

Qn-1. If the power supply goes out in your house?
Qn-2. If the licensee takes scheduled outage 10 without giving 24 hours advance notice?
Qn-3. If the supply voltage is not improved  to the level prescribed by the OERC?
Qn-4. If you feel your meter is faulty or not working?
Qn-5. To get a new connection or to enhance your existing load?
Qn-6. How much you need to pay for a single phase or three phase connection?
Qn-7. How much Security Deposit you need to pay for a new connection?
Qn-8. What will be the commercial liability if the consumer’s  premises is beyond the reasonable norm for providing power supply.
Qn-9. Whether certification of Electrical Inspector  is required while extending power supply?
Qn-10. What should you do to get a temporary connection?
Qn-11. Under which circumstances your power supply can be disconnected by the Licensee?
Qn-12. What should you do on receipt of an erroneous / disputed bill from the Licensee?
Qn-13. What is an Electricity offence and  what is the punishment?
Qn-14. What is abatement of electricity offences? Can an Officer/employee be punished as abettor?
Qn-15. If you have been charged with  tampered / bypassed meters?
Qn-16. How should the complaint of the consumers be  handled by the licensee?
Qn-17. To which category of consumer you belong?
Qn-18. How should you approach the Grievance Redressal Forum (GRF)?
Qn-19. Who is the Ombudsman & when and how can you  approach the Ombudsman?
Qn-20. If the licensee fails to obey orders  of the GRFs / Ombudsman?
Qn-21. What should you to disconnect your power supply  for a temporary period?
Qn-22. When should a consumer receive his bill?
Qn-23. Where do consumers pay their electricity bill?
Qn-24. How do you calculate your load (Contract Demand)?
Qn-25. How do you calculate your bill?
Qn-26. What can you do to save electricity andreduce your bill?
Qn-27. If an electric pole or wire is in a hazardous  condition near the place you live in? What should you do?
Qn-28. In which situation a licensee’s man can enter  into your premises?
Qn-29. Can the Static meters be used in your premises and whether meters can be installed outside the consumer premises?
Qn-30. What is rise in electricity tariff over last five years?
Annex-I Application for claiming of compensation
Annex-II Form of Requisition for supply of Electrical Energy
Annex-III Address & Telephone No. of Ombudsman & GRF
Annex-IV Retail Supply Tariff Effective from 1st April, 2008
Annex-V Time limits for rendering service to consumers
Annex-VI Real rise in electricity tariff in Orissa from 21.5.96
Annex-VI-A Percentage rise in electricity tariff and inflation
Annex-VI-B Rise in electricity tariff as Index Vs. Inflation

Qn-1. What should you do if the power supply goes out in your house.
Ans :

• Lodge the complaint in the fuse-call centre by person or over phone.

• Ensure that the complaint date and time are recorded in the Register.

• If the initial complaint is not redressed within 4 hours, then complain to J.E. preferably in writing.

• The power failure in your premises may be due to various reasons such as failure near meter, problem at the service connection wire at the pole, supply line breakdown, fall out of heavy rain and whirlwind. The power should be restored within the following time.

Reason	Restoration time
Failure near meter or problem in the service connection wire at the pole.	Rural – 24 hrs. Urban – 6 hrs.
Supply line breakdown	Rural – 24 hrs. Urban – 12 hrs.
Fall out of heavy rain, lightning and strong wind.	Rural – 48 hrs. Urban – 24 hrs.
Failure of Distribution transformer	Rural – 48 hrs. Urban – 24 hrs.

If your complaint is not redressed within the stipulated time as mentioned above, you are entitled to compensation as given below:

Type of failure	Compensation amount (In Rs.)	Mode of compensation
Failure near meter or problem in the service connection wire at the pole.	100	Automatic; to be adjusted in your energy bill.
Supply line breakdown	100	You should claim from the SDO/Executive Engineer (Claim Form at Annexure-I) and the licensee shall adjust the amount in your energy bill.
Fall out of heavy rain, lightning and strong wind.	100	You should claim from the SDO/Executive Engineer (Claim Form at Annexure-I) and the licensee shall adjust the amount in your energy bill.
Failure of Distribution Transformer	200	You should claim from the SDO/Executive Engineer (Claim Form at Annexure-I) and the licensee shall adjust the amount in your energy bill.

If you are not satisfied with the response of the licensee, you may approach the GRF / Ombudsman as mentioned under Qns. 18 - 19

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Qn-2. What shall you do if the licensee takes scheduled outage without giving 24 hours advance notice ? What shall be the maximum duration of scheduled outage ? What should be the restoration time of outage in summer and winter ?
Ans:

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Qn-3. What shall you do if the supply voltage is not improved to the level prescribed by the OERC? (cases of low / high voltage or frequency)
Ans:

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Qn-4. What should you do if the you feel your meter is faulty or not working?
Ans:

• Lodge the complaint with the S.D.O. of the area in case of single phase Meter
  and Executive Engineer (E.E.) of that area for three phase Meter supply.

• Get the due acknowledgement showing date & time.

• If the meter is defective and it belongs to licensee, the licensee shall replace the meter within 30 days of receiving the complaint. Non-compliance of this provision makes the consumer automatically eligible to get a compensation of Rs.100/-.

• If the meter is burnt due to causes not attributable to the consumer the licensee will replace the meter within 30 working days of removal of the meter in case the meter belongs to the licensee. Failure to comply with this provision will attract an automatic compensation of Rs.200/- for each case of default to be paid by the licensee.

• If the meter is burnt due to causes attributable to the consumer the licensee will replace the meter within 15 days of the receiving the cost of the meter, if the meter belongs to licensee.

•  In case the meter is supplied by the consumer, s/he shall get the meter replaced within the period of 30 working days after so advised by the engineer. Failure to rectify or get the meter replaced within the above period shall result in disconnection after 7 clear days of notice to the consumer by the licensee.

• Meter testing can be done if so desired by the consumer in any accredited testing laboratory.

•  The licensee should allow the consumer to own the meter by paying its egitimate cost if s/he so desires in one installment or can pay meter rent till the landed cost is recovered. (Landed cost means cost of Meter, tax,transportation charges, storage charges etc.)

•  If you are not satisfied with the response of the licensee, you may approach the GRF / Ombudsman as mentioned under Qns. 18 - 19

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Qn-5. What should you do to get a new connection or to enhance your existing load?
Ans:

• The lawful occupier or owner of the premises should apply in form nos. 1 & 2 (given at Annexure – II) available in the local electricity section office. The sketch map of the premises and documentary evidence of the ownership or
  occupation of the premises along with the following non-refundable fees should be attached with the application form.
  
  

  For single phase supply / three phase supply	Rs.25/- / Rs.100/
  For HT Load / EHT Load .	Rs.500/- / Rs.5000/-

  
  

  In case of enhancement of contract demand, the application shall be accompanied by such processing fees as notified by the licensee.

• The premises for which power supply is asked for should not have any arrear electricity dues.

• Get the due acknowledgement showing date & time.

•  Within three days of receipt of application for LT supply, three clear days notice shall be sent by the Licensee asking the applicant to be present for inspection of the premises for entry of the supply mains.

•  After the entry point of the supply mains is settled, the Executive Engineer shall provide the applicant an estimate within seven days (from the date of deciding the entry point) for carrying out the work along with the security deposit required. Alternatively, the licensee should charge at the flat rate of Rs.500/- to small consumers requiring new connection up to and including 3 KW load without preparation of any estimate.

•  After the deposit has been duly made, orders for taking up the work shall be issued within a period of three days from the date of deposit.

• A final bill shall be sent to the consumer after giving service connection within one month indicating actual expenses incurred together with a demand or refund notice.

• Where any difference or dispute arises as to the cost or fixing of the position of service line, the matter shall be referred to the Electrical Inspector.

•  If due to enhancement of contract demand, the classification of consumer changes, the Executive Engineer / Manager shall call upon the consumer to execute a fresh agreement.

•  In case there is delay for new connection feasible from existing network, the Executive Engineer / Manager shall automatically pay to the consumer Rs.100/- for each day of default as compensation, which should be adjusted in the next energy bill (in case of lapse of 30 days from the date of deposit).

•  DISTCOs make internal investigation regarding fixing of liability for recovering the compensation amount from the erring employees concerned. For this reason, DISTCOs should sensitize their employees about the provisions in the Regulations.

•  In addition to compensation, the licensee shall be liable to a penalty, which
  may extend to one thousand rupees for each day of default.

  
  

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Qn-6. How much you need to pay for a single phase or three phase connection?
Ans:

Qn-7. How much Security Deposit you need to pay for a new connection?
Ans:

• A person seeking new connection is to pay and maintain the reasonable amount of initial security deposit, which may become due to him for the power supply and due to the provision of lines, plants or meters.

• The S.D. shall be the charges for 3 months (for bi-monthly cycle) and 2 months (for monthly cycle) as per the following monthly charge calculation:

•  Monthly consumption charge = C.D. in kW x24 hrs. x 30 days x L.F.*x Energy charges in Rs./ Unit + C.D. in kVAx80% x Demand Charge in Rs./KVA.
  

  For Domestic consumers = 10%

  For General Purpose consumers = 30%

  For Irrigation Pumping and Agriculture = 15%
  
  Security Deposit Calculation – An example Suppose the Contract Demand (CD) of a domestic consumer is 3.5 KW and billing for the consumer is done on a monthly basis.

  Monthly Consumption = 3.5 KW x 24 hrs. x 30 days x 10% = 252 units.

  Monthly consumption charge = 100 x Rs.1.40 + 100 x Rs.2.30 + 52 x Rs.3.10

  = Rs.531.20

  Security Deposit = 2 x Rs.531.20 = Rs.1,062.40

• In case the tariff rate changes the licensee shall review the amount of security deposit and shall demand for payment of shortfall or refund of excess amount (if not more than 10% of the existing amount). In this case the monthly consumption, to be taken to compute the security deposit, should be taken as average consumption for the period representing 12(Twelve) months of the previous year.

•  The additional security deposit has to be deposited within 30 days of demand. If the security deposit is not paid, the line may be disconnected. The licensee has to pay interest on the security deposit to the consumer by means of annual adjustment of the bank rate as on 1st May of every year.

• The licensee has to refund the security deposit. within one month after termination of the agreement. Otherwise, the licensee has to pay 15% interest per annum from the termination date.

Qn-8. What will be the commercial liability if the consumer’s premises is beyond the reasonable norm for providing power supply?
Ans:

• He licensee has the power to recover expenditure which is incurred in providing power supply to a consumer. The licensee shall calculate the remunerative norm. If it is found to be remunerative, the consumer shall bear no extra cost. If not, the consumer has to bear the portion of charge to make it remunerative

• For calculating the remunerative norm, the licensee shall make a cost benefit analysis i.e. expenditure on material, power, repair and maintenance etc. and the expected benefit to be accrued from the consumer in the form of various charges. The comparison between the two shall tell whether the power supply is remunerative.

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Qn-9. Whether certification of Electrical Inspector is required while extending Power supply?
Ans:

• EHT and HT installations do require approval of the Electrical Inspector or his authorized officer before approving the consumer’s installations for supply of power. For other cases of consumers where the approval of the licensee’s Engineer is required, if the consumer is not satisfied with the defect/defects pointed out by the engineer to him, he can refer the matter to the Electrical Inspector within 7 days, whose decision shall be final and binding.

Qn-15. What shall be done if a consumer has been charged with tampered/bypassed meters?
Ans:

• In this case the consumer will be assessed at twice the tariff rate for his unauthorized use of electricity for the entire period during which such unauthorized use of electricity has taken place and if however the period during which such unauthorized use of electricity has taken place cannot be ascertained, such period shall be limited to a period of 12 months immediately preceding the date of inspection..

• The following officers of Distribution Licensee are designated as Assessing Officers by the Govt. of Orissa u/s 126 of the Electricity Act, 2003 :
  1. For Single Phase Low Transmission Consumer – Assistant Engineer / Assistant Manager of the Concerned Distribution Companies and above.
  2.  For Three Phase/High Tension Consumers – Executive Engineer / Manager of concerned Distribution companies and above.
  

• Any person aggrieved by a final order made by an assessing officer within 30 days of the order file an appeal before the appellate authority (Deputy Electrical inspector) with requisite fees (1% of the assessment amount).

Qn-16.How should the complaint of the consumers be handled by the licensee?
Ans:

• The Complaint Handling Procedure as approved by OERC and notified by the Licensees may be seen in the Annexure –V.

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Ans:

• Domestic category: If you avail power to your residential premises for domestic purposes only, which may include connected load for non domestic purposes like offices, consulting chambers & other mixed loads up to 20% of the total connected load, then you will be categorized as domestic consumer. This category also includes occupants of flats in multistoried buildings or residential colonies receiving power at single points for domestic purposes.

• General purpose: This category relates to supply of power to premises which are used for office, business, general purpose where nondomestic load exceeds 20% of the total connected load.

•  Specified public purpose: This category relates to supply of power to
  (a) religious institutions.
  (b) educational institutions (including their hostels). (The term ‘educational institution’ does not include vocational training or coaching centres).
  (c) hospitals, dispensaries and primary health centres owned by government, local bodies and charitable institutions (recognised as such by Income Tax Dept.),
  (d) electric crematorium and
  (e) non-commercial sports organisations.
  

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Qn-18. How should you approach the Grievance Redressal Forum (GRF)?
Ans:

•  Grievance Redressal Forums (GRFs) are the Grievance Cell of the Licensee constituted by the Licensee with the approval of Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) under Sec 42(5) of the Electricity Act, 2003.

•  You should file your complaint at GRF in writing. The Forum may not insist any format for such filing. Few examples of the nature of the complaint are illustrated below:
  i) New Connection
  ii) Disconnection/Reconnection of Supply
  iii) Voltage fluctuation
  iv) Contract demand/Connected load
  v) Billing disputes (except penal bill u/s 126 of the Electricity Act, 2003)
  vi) Interruptions
  vii) Metering (except dispute regarding accuracy of the matter)
  viii) Classification/Re-classification of consumer
  ix) Shifting of service connection/Diversion of lines and shifting of equipment
  x) Transfer of consumer ownership
  xi) Agreement/Termination of agreement
  xii) Security deposit
  xiii) Installation of equipment and apparatus of the consumer
  xiv) System of supply including guaranteed standards of performance.
  The Forum shall entertain those complaints, which are under its territorial and
  statutory jurisdiction.

• After receiving the complaint, the Forum may seek additional information and details, as required, from the complainant.

• The Forum shall decide the complaint expeditiously and shall communicate its decision to the Complainant within a period not exceeding 45 days of the receipt of the Complaint by the Forum. The Forum shall give the reasons in support of its decisions.

• The addresses & jurisdiction of the GRF’s have been given at Annexure – III.

•  Engagement of an Advocate is not mandatory. S/he or their representative can appear and plead the case. If s/he prefers, they can engage an advocate.

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Qn-19. Who is the Ombudsman & when and how can you approach the Ombudsman?
Ans:

• The Ombudsman is statutory officer appointed by the OERC to dispose representations of consumers aggrieved by orders of the GRF.

• At present there are 2 Ombudsman functioning in Orissa, Ombudsman I for CESU and Ombudsman II for WESCO, NESCO & SOUTHCO.

•  Address of the two Ombudsman is as follows:
  Ombudsman I & II, Qr. No. 3R 5/2, GRIDCO Colony, P.O. Bhoinagar,
  Bhubaneswar – 751022. Phone: 2543825 (Office)

•  If you are aggrieved by the order of the GRF, may make a representation to the Ombudsman within 30 days from the date of the decision of the Forum.

•  Or, make a representation within 30 days of expiry of the period within which the Forum was required to pass its order i.e. within 45 days + 30 days = 75 days.

•  Ombudsman will first try to dispose of the matter through mutual conciliation.

•  If such conciliation fails, then the Ombudsman will dispose of the representation after providing the licensee an opportunity for hearing.

•  The Ombudsman shall dispose of the complaints within two months.

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Qn-20. What can you do if the licensee fails to obey orders of the GRFs / Ombudsman?
Ans:

•  Failure to implement or comply with such order or direction shall amount to contravention of these Regulations for the purpose of Section 142 of the Electricity Act 2003.

•  Sec 142 of the Electricity Act, 2003 stipulates that: Punishment for non-compliance of direction by Appropriate Commission: - In case any complaint is filed before the Appropriate Commission by any person or if that Commission is satisfied that any person has contravened any provisions of this Act or rules or regulations made there under, or any direction issued by the Commission, the Appropriate Commission may after giving such person an opportunity of being heard in the matter, by order in writing, direct that, without prejudice to any other penalty to which he may be liable under this Act, such person shall pay, by way of penalty, which shall not exceed one lakh rupees for each contravention and in case of a continuing failure with an additional penalty which may extend to six thousand rupees for every day during which the failure continues after contravention of the first such direction.

• In such cases, you can file petition in the Commission (OERC) against the non-compliance of Ombudsman’s order.

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Qn-21.  What should you do to disconnect your power supply for a temporary period (Going on vacation or keeping the premises locked for a considerable period i.e. more than one month)?
Ans:

• It is your responsibility to get your supply disconnected otherwise you will remain liable for all charges. You should request for disconnection to concerned Junior Engineer at least 7 days prior to the proposed date of vacation. By doing so, you are not only saving on account of charges but also safeguarding your house from possible hazards due to electricity in your absence.

• The Junior Engineer shall arrange to take a special reading of the meter before disconnecting the power supply and getting an acknowledgement from you.

• If he fails to disconnect the supply, you shall not be responsible either for consumption of energy or safety of the equipments of your premises.

• When you require restoration of power supply to your premises you should request in writing to the concerned J.E. after clearing all the arrear dues.

• In case of default, the Licensee will pay you Rs.100/- automatically as compensation.

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Qn-22. When should a consumer receive his bill?
Ans:

• The engineer or his authorized agent is bound to despatch the bills within ten days from the end of billing cycle. The Licensee shall send the bills to the consumers either by post or by courier or through the messenger well before the due date to avoid any inconvenience to the consumer not covered under spot billing. (In case of spot billing, bills are handed over then and there after the meter reading)

• The due date of payment for all consumers shall be fifteen days from the bill date which is mentioned on the face of the bill.
  

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Q-23. Where do consumers pay their electricity bill?
Ans:

• The bill can be paid at the local collection center or any other collection center specified by the Licensee either in cash or by bank draft or by bankers cheque, on any working day during the prescribed hours.

•  You may give the crossed account payee cheque (mentioning service connection no., billing month, consumer name and address including telephone number) to meter reader or drop the same in the drop boxes at collection centers of the Licensee. You should not tender cash towards energy bill to any person except at collection centre.

• You can avail rebate if you pay the bill amount within due date. For LT users, the rebate allowed is 10 paise for each unit of energy consumed in a month.
  

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Qn-24. How do you calculate your load (Contract Demand)?
Ans:

Item 1	Load per item (Watts) 2	No. of items (say) 3	Load (Watts) 4 = 2 x 3
Tube light	40 W	4	160
CFL lamp	18W	5	90
Incandescent lamp	60W	1	60
Table Fan / Ceiling Fan (36	60W	3	180
Ceiling Fan (48”)	60W	1	60
Ceiling Fan (56”)	70W	1	70
Exhaust Fan	75W	2	150
Air Circulator	180W	1	180
Music system	40W	1	40
Television	125W	1	125
Mixie / grinder	500W	1	500
Electric Iron	450W	1	450
Fridge (Double Door)	125W	1	125
Microwave Oven	600W	1	600
Washing Machine	340W	1	340
Kitchen Exhaust Chimney	45W	1	45
Aqua guard filter m/c	30W	1	30
Air conditioner (1.5Ton)	2000W	1	2000
Pump Set	375W	1	375
Personal Computer with	120W	1	120
Light Points (unless otherwise declared by the consumer,	60W	3	180
		TOTAL =	5880

Spare plug points shall not be counted towards connected load.

Qn-25. How do you calculate your bill ?
Ans:

1. Bill No.	2. Name of the Division/ Sub division/ Section.
3. Bill period	4. Date of bill
5. Consumer No.	6. Name of the consumer
7. Consumer Category (e.g.Domestic, General Purpose etc.)	8. Contract Demand (e.g. 0.5 KW, 2 KW, 200 KW)
9. Meter No.	10. Meter Reading ( Present and previous)
Various Charges (Refer Annexure – IV for TARIFF EFFECTIVE FROM 1ST APRIL, 2007) • Energy Charges (140 paise per unit for first 100 units, 230 paise per unit for next 100 units and 310 paise per unit for balance units of consumption for LT domestic consumers) • Monthly Minimum Fixed Charge ( Rs.20/- for first or part KW and Rs.10/- for additional KW for domestic other than Kutir jyoti consumers) • Meter Rent (If supplied by the Licensee and till the landed cost is recovered from the consumer) • Electricity duty charges (4% of Energy Charges for a domestic consumer) • Adjustments if any • Arrears if any • Due date of payment • Total Amount Payable • Rebate Allowed (if paid within due date of payment) • Total amount payable (if paid within due date of payment).

• Sample Calculation of a Bill of a Domestic Consumer
  
  The domestic consumer has a contract demand of 3.5 KW and the meter was supplied by the Licensee. Suppose the reading of the meter was 7511 in the previous month and the present reading is 7782. The bill for this month will be calculated as follows:

  Present Meter Reading	7782.00
  Previous Meter Reading	7511.00
  Units Consumed for this month (7782 - 7511) (1 unit = 1 KWH (Kilowatt Hour); i.e. When any equipment of 1 KW load runs for   1 hour, it consumes 1 unit of	271.00
  electricity. Or, if a bulb of 100W is used for 10 hours, it shal consume 100 * 10 = 1000 WH = 1 KWH = 1 unit of energy)                        Energy Charges (100 x 1.40) = 140.00                                                (100 x 2.30) = 230.00                                                  (71 x 3.10) = 220.10 -                                                                 -------------                                                                     590.10	590.10
  Monthly Minimum Fixed Charge                                     (20 for 1st KW + 10 for 2nd KW +                             10 for 3rd KW + 10 for 0.5 KW = 50.00)	50.00
  Meter Rent	15.00
  Electricity Duty (590.10 x 4% = 23.60)	23.60
  	total= 678.70
  Rebate allowed if paid within due date (271 x 0.10)	27.10
  Payable within due date	651.60

  
  

Qn-26. What can you do to save electricity and reduce your bill?
Ans:

• One unit of electricity saved at consumer end avoids three units of fresh capacity addition. If each consumer of Orissa strives to save one unit of electricity a day, it would result in dispensing with the setting-up of a power plant of capacity 300 MW thus saving Rs.1500 crores at the first place. Moreover, it will be good for you as it will reduce your electricity bill; will be better for the country as it will reduce further depletion of valuable coal and gas reserves; will be the best for your children and grand children as they will inherit a less polluted world to live in. In this perspective, concerted effort should be made by all to save electricity.

• Major savings (at least 30%) in usage of electricity can be made from lighting, cooling and heating devices and the cost of upfront investment can be recovered within a year. In this regard, you can do the following:
  (a)Use CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) as they use up to 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Use electronic chokes in tube lights as they are more efficient than the magnetic chokes. Hotels and restaurants should use BIS marked solar heating systems instead of geysers. Use BIS marked pump sets, power capacitors, fort / reflex valves in agricultural sector.
  (b) Make a conscious effort to turn off all lights, fans, air conditioners, mosquito repellants and other electrical appliances and gadgets when not in use. Also, switch off the power switch in case of computer, TV or music system, which you normally leave on standby mode consuming energy 24 hours a day.
  (c) Check the following wastage factors for maximum savings from your heating and cooling systems. a) insulation e) wrong placement b) faulty wiring f) improper ventilation c) over-rated heating gadgets g) negligence in usage d) improper fittings h) negligence towards maintenance.

• Clean the lamps and reflecting surfaces regularly as the light output decrease over time due to the accumulation of dust, grease, dirt etc.

• Follow simple tips given below for conserving electricity:
  a) Iron a pile of clothes at one go, instead of one or two at a time
  b) Take bath one after the other while the water in the geyser is still warm.
  c) Cool food to room temperature before placing them in refrigerator. Moreover, open and close the doors of the refrigerator as quickly as possible.
  d) Cook your food in microwave oven at one go.
  

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Qn-27. If an electric pole or wire is in a hazardous condition near the place you live in (e.g. home, shop etc.), what should you do?
Ans:

• Inform the electrical S.D.O. of the area specifying the details of the location and condition of that hazardous spot and request him to take immediate corrective action such that any untoward incident involving life and property can be avoided. Preferably, make the request in writing and keep an acknowledgement of the same.

• If you are not satisfied with the steps taken by the S.D.O., bring this to the notice of Deputy Electrical Inspector / Electrical Inspector and request him to take appropriate action in the matter. .
  

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Qn-28. In which situation a licensee’s man can enter into your premises?
Ans:

• For carrying out general inspection, repair and testing, the Licensee or the authorized person of the licensee shall be entitled to enter your premises after informing you of his intention

• Licensee or the authorized person of the licensee can also enter into your premises :
  1.For altering the electric supply lines, meter, fittings, works and apparatus for the supply of electricity, if those belong to the licensee.
  2.Ascertaining the amount of electricity supplied or the electrical quantity contained in the supply or
  3.Removing where supply of electricity is no longer required or where the licensee is authorized to take away and cut off such supply, and electric supply lines, meters, fittings, works or apparatus belonging to the licensee; and
  4.Enter any premises or land in pursuance of a special order the Executive Magistrate giving not less than 24 hrs. notice to examine and test the electric wire, fittings, works and apparatus of the consumer. If the consumer refuses the entry, the licensee may serve a 24 hrs. notice in writing and cut off power supply.
  
  
  

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Qn-29. Can the Static meters be used in your premises and whether meters can be installed outside the consumer premises?
Ans:

• Henceforth, all consumer meters shall be of static type and should comply with relevant standards prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards. The existing electromagnetic meters shall continue until it becomes defective/ inoperative and irreparable. Subsequently, they shall be replaced with Static meters only by the licensees. Accordingly to CEA Regulation the meter shall be installed either at consumer premises or outside the consumer premises. When the licensee installs the meter outside the premises of the consumer then a real time display unit shall be provided by the licensee at the consumer premises for information about consumption to the consumer. For the billing purpose reading of the consumer meter and not the display unit shall be taken into account.

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Qn-30 What is the rise in electricity tariff over last five years?
Ans:

• The electricity tariff has not been hiked since 01.02.2001. In spite of upward revision of salary & pension of the employees, repayment of principal and interest on the borrowings and upswing in maintenance cost of electricity lines & transformers, the OERC has not enhanced the electricity tariff of the domestic users after 01.02.2001. On the other hand, the electricity tariff of Agro-industrial consumers such as horticulture, pisciculture, sericulture, cold storage etc. has been reduced from the range of Rs.4.50 – Rs.3.20 to Rs.1.10-Rs1.00 with effect from 01.04.2008. The trend in the electricity tariff since the year 1996-97 till 2008-09 has been given at Annexure-VI, VI-A & VI-B.

• If inflation is factored then the overall tariff in 2008-09 has reduced by 26.38% in real terms compared to the tariff of 1995-96 i.e. the year after which reform was introduced. .
  

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