(1) All meters, including meters for self consumption of electricity by the Licensee shall be read/recorded regularly once in every billing cycle and on special reading occasions.
(2) The meter shall be read/recorded only by the person duly authorized by the Licensee for this purpose, hereinafter referred to as "meter reader" and the consumer shall extend all facilities to read/record the meter, to the meter reader.
(3) The Licensee shall issue proper photo identity cards to all staff including the meter reader, who shall carry the same, and show it to the consumer or his authorized representative during the course of meter reading.
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(4) The meter reader may use hand held instruments, meter reading instrument (MRI) or wireless equipment for recording meter readings and for generation of bills on the spot.
(5) If bills are prepared on the basis of MRI downloads or if meter reading is taken on the basis of remote meter reading and the consumer wishes to have a record of the reading taken, he shall be given such details by the Licensee.
(6) It shall be the duty of the meter reader, to check and record the condition of light emitting diode (LED)/earth leakage, protective seals on the meter.
(7) In case the meter reader or any other person duly authorized by the Licensee, observes any visible defect such as LED indicator for earth leakage provided in the electronic meters is found to be ‘ON’ and/or protective seal on the metering equipment has been broken, display not working, the same shall be informed to the consumer at the earliest, but not later than the next bill:
Provided that if there is earth leakage in the premises, the Licensee shall advise the consumer to get the wiring checked and leakage removed. A written notice shall be issued to the consumer.
(8) In case the consumer discovers that LED indicator for earth leakage provided in the electronic meters is found to be ‘ON’ and/or protective seal on the metering equipment has been broken, he shall inform the Licensee about the same:
Provided that if there is earth leakage in the premises, the consumer shall get the wiring checked and leakage removed.
(9) The Licensee shall, on receiving such intimation or on discovery based on the date of inspection or meter reading that the seal has been broken, replace the seal within three days:
Provided that if the Licensee suspects a case of unauthorised use of electricity or theft of electricity, the matter shall be dealt as per provisions of tampered meter.
(10) In case, for any reason, to be specifically recorded, the meter is not read/ recorded during a billing cycle, the Licensee shall prepare a provisional bill based on the consumption during the corresponding period in the previous year when readings were taken:
Provided that if the consumption during the corresponding period in the previous year is not available, the Licensee shall take average consumption of preceding three billing cycles or the lesser period when readings were taken.
(11) If the provisional billing continues for more than one consecutive billing cycle, the consumer may refuse to pay the payment until bill is raised by the licensee as per actual meter reading.
(12) The amount paid as per the provisional bill as prepared in sub-regulation (10) above shall be adjusted against the bill raised on the basis of actual meter reading during subsequent billing cycles:
Provided that in case meter is found to be defective before taking actual meter reading during subsequent billing cycle, the provisional bill raised by the Licensee shall be considered as final bill for that period.
(13) If the consumer furnishes the meter reading(s) himself, the billing for that billing cycles(s) shall be done based on that/those reading(s) subject to adjustment in next billing cycle:
Provided that the consumer shall send the picture of the meter indicating the meter reading and date of meter reading through registered mobile or through e-mail.
(14) The consumer, if so desire, may request the Licensee to take a special reading, and the Licensee shall arrange the same on chargeable basis, as per the rates prescribed in the Commission's Order. The charges for such special reading shall be included in the consumer's bill.