The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) on September 02, 2023, issued amendments to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code.
The following amendments are as stated:
• In Regulation 2, which states “definitions” after clause (s), the following clause (t) has been inserted:
(t) “Unauthorised use of electricity” has the same meaning as assigned to it under section 126 of the Act. The unauthorised use of electricity dealt with under section 135 of the Act is applicable only to the theft of energy / illegal restoration of supply.
• In Regulation 3, which states “categories of supply” in sub-regulation (3), the term ‘extra’ has been omitted.
• In Regulation 4, which states “charges recoverable by the Licensee” in sub-regulation (2), after clause (xvi), the clauses (xvii) (xviii) (xix) have been inserted:
(xvii) Charges for periodical inspection for installation testing other than routine inspections like mass raids etc.
(xviii) Charges for temporary disconnection at the request of a consumer.
(xix) Charges for furnishing certified copies to the consumer.
• In regulation 7, which states “name transfer charge” after sub-regulation (10), the following sub-regulation (11) has been inserted:
(11) In the case of single phase meters, the consumer shall ensure there is no common neutral or phase or looping of neutral or phase of two or more consumers on consumer side wiring. If such common neutral or phase or looping of neutral or phase comes to the notice of the Licensee or if the earth leakage indication is displayed in the meter, the Licensee shall inform the consumer in writing advising him to rectify the defect to ensure proper recording of consumption.
• In regulation 8, which states “reconnection charge” the existing sub-regulation (4), has been omitted.
• In Regulation 10, which states “Dishonoured cheque service charge” after existing sub-regulation (5), the sub-regulation (6) has been inserted:
(6) In case of unforeseen constraints on the part of the Licensee to carry out the assessment / force-majeure conditions, the Licensee may have the option of allowing the consumer to send the picture of the meter display of the respective service connection that indicates the meter reading of billing parameters and the date of such readings, through registered mobile or email to the designated officer of the Licensee.
• In Regulation 15, which states “Mode of payment” at the beginning of sub-regulation (1), the following expression has been added:
Consumers shall have the option to pay bills online or offline.
• In regulation 22, which states “Restoration of supply of electricity” the existing sub-regulation (1) has been substituted:
(1) The Licensee shall restore the supply to the service immediately and in any case not exceeding six working hours on receipt of electricity charges or such other dues and other charges as applicable.
• In Form-8 of Appendix, in part I, in clause (E), which states “Formula to assess the quantum of energy in case of theft of electricity” the existing sub-clause ii, has been amended.
• Existing Form 9 of the Appendix of Supply Code which states “Provisional Assessment order for theft of energy” has been amended.
• Existing Form 10 of the Appendix of Supply Code which states “Final Assessment order for theft of energy” has been amended.
• Existing Form 11 of the Appendix of Supply code which states “Compounding of offence” has been amended.
• Existing Form 12 of the Appendix of Supply code which states “Provisional Assessment order for unauthorised use of electricity” has been amended.
• Existing Form 13 of the Appendix of Supply code which states “Final order of Assessment for unauthorised use of electricity” has been amended.
[Notification No. TNERC/SC/7- 48]
