(1) The distribution licensee shall prominently display on its website and on the notice board in all its offices, the following; namely:-
(a) detailed procedure for grant of new connection, temporary connection, shifting of meter or, service line, change of consumer category, enhancement of load, reduction of load or change in name, transfer of ownership and shifting of premises etc;
(b) address and telephone numbers of offices where filled-up application forms can be submitted;
(c) address of website for online submission of application form;
(d) complete list of copies of the documents required to be attached with the application;
(e) all applicable charges to be deposited by the applicant.
(2) Application forms for all type of connections as well as modification in existing connection shall be available at all the local offices of the distribution licensee free of cost as well as on its website for free download.
(3) The distribution licensee shall create a web portal and a mobile app for submission of online application forms.
(4) The applicant shall have an option to submit an application form in hard copy form or an electronic means such as online through web portal or mobile app of distribution licensee.
(5) In case hard copy of the application form is submitted, the same shall be scanned and uploaded on the website as soon as it is received and acknowledgement with the registration number for that applicant shall be generated and intimated to the applicant.
(6) In case of online application form through web portal or mobile app of distribution licensee, the acknowledgement with the registration number shall be generated on submission of application.
(7) An application, complete with all the required information, shall be deemed to be received on the date of generation of acknowledgement with registration number. In case of hard copy submission, the acknowledgement with registration number shall be generated within such period as may be specified by the Commission, not exceeding twenty four hours, of receipt of the application, complete with all the required information.
(8) The application tracking mechanism based on the unique registration number shall be provided by the distribution licensee through web-based application or mobile app or through SMS or by any other mode to monitor the status of processing of the application like receipt of application, site inspection, issuance of demand note, external connection, meter installation and electricity flow.
(9) For new connections up to a load of 10 kW or such higher load as may be specified by the Commission, the application form shall be accompanied with only two mandatory documents-
(1) identity proof (i.e. Passport, Aadhar Card etc.) of the applicant; and
(2) proof of applicant’s ownership or occupancy over the premises for which new connection is being sought or in the absence of any proof of ownership or occupancy, any other address poof not [भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का राजपत्र : ऄसाधारण 15 given as part of identity proof under (1) above. For new connections beyond the specified load, and modification of existing connection, the Commission shall explicitly specify the documents required to be submitted with the application.
(10) In case, an agreement is required to be executed between distribution licensee and the consumer, the same shall become the part of the application form and there shall not be any requirement of a separate agreement form.
(11) The Commission shall specify the maximum time period, post submission of application complete in all respect, not exceeding seven days in metro cities, fifteen days in other municipal areas and thirty days in rural areas, within which the distribution licenses shall provide new connection and modify an existing connection:
Provided that where such supply requires extension of distribution mains, or commissioning of new sub-stations, the distribution licensee shall supply the electricity to such premises immediately after such extension or commissioning or within such period as may be specified by the Commission.
(12) If a distribution licensee fails to supply electricity within the period specified by the Commission, it shall be liable to a penalty as may be determined by the Commission, which shall not exceed one thousand rupees for each day of default.
(13) For electrified areas up to 150 kW or such higher load as the Commission may specify the connection charges for new connection shall be fixed on the basis of the load, category of connection sought and average cost of connection of the distribution licensee so as to avoid site inspection and estimation of demand charges for each and every case individually. The demand charges, in such cases, may be paid at the time of application for new connection.
5. Metering – (1) No connection shall be given without a meter and such meter shall be the smart prepayment meter or pre-payment meter. Any exception to the smart meter or prepayment meter shall have to be duly approved by the Commission. The Commission, while doing so, shall record proper justification for allowing the deviation from installation of the smart pre-payment meter or prepayment meter.
(2) At the time of seeking a new connection the consumer shall have the option to -
(a) purchase the meter, MCB or CB and associated equipment himself; or
(b) require that the meter, MCB or CB and associated equipment be supplied by the distribution licensee, on payment of applicable charges.
(3) The distribution licensee shall ensure that tested and sealed meters of approved meter manufacturers are available to consumers for purchase and information of the places from where the consumers can purchase them is made available on its website.
(4) The meter shall be read at least once in every billing cycle in urban as well as rural areas by an authorised representative of the distribution licensee.
(5) In case of smart meters, the meters shall be read remotely at least once in every month and in case of other pre-payment meters, the meters shall be read by an authorised representative of the distribution licensee at least once in every three months. The data regarding energy consumption shall be made available to the consumer, through website or mobile App or SMS, etc. Consumers having smart pre-payment meters may also be given the data access for checking their consumption on real time basis.
(6) For post payment meters, if the meter is inaccessible to the meter reader on two consecutive meter reading dates, the consumer shall have the option to send the picture of the meter indicating the meter reading and date of meter reading through registered mobile or through e-mail. In such a case, distribution licensee may not send any notice or provisional bill to the consumer
(7) Testing of meters shall be done by the distribution licensee within a period as may be specified by the Commission, not exceeding thirty days, of receipt of the complaint from the consumer about their meter readings not being commensurate with his consumption of electricity, stoppage of meter, damage to the seal, burning or damage of the meter, etc.
16 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
(8) No test fee shall be charged from the consumer at the time of reporting if the meter is found to be defective or burnt due to reasons attributable to the consumer, the consumer shall bear the cost of new meter and test fee shall be charged from the consumer through subsequent bills.
(9) The distribution licensee shall give a copy of the meter test report to the consumer duly signed by both the distribution licensee or their authorised representatives and the consumer, and retain one such copy as acknowledgment. The distribution licensee shall communicate the date and time for such test to the consumer and convey the said consumer to present at the site for testing. However, if the consumer chooses not to be present at the site for testing, the distribution licensee will carry out such testing and shall give the copy of the meter test report to the consumer for signing.
(10) In case, during testing, the meter is found to be inaccurate, the excess or deficit charges shall be adjusted in the subsequent bills as specified by the Commission.
(11) If a consumer disputes the results of testing, the meter shall be tested at a third party testing facility selected by the consumer from the list of third party testing agencies approved by the Commission.
If it is successfully established that the results of this test are contrary to the results of the test performed by the distribution licensee, then the cost of undertaking such test shall be borne by the distribution licensee. However, in case it is established that the results of this test are same as the results of the test performed by the distribution licensee in sub-rule (7), then the cost of undertaking such test shall be borne by the Consumer. The meter test results and the meter data shall be issued to the consumer after such test has been completed and the said results are final and binding on both the consumer and the distribution licensee.
(12) The list of third party agencies approved by the Commission shall be available in their various offices as well as on the website of the distribution licensee.
(13) Replacement of defective or burnt or stolen meters shall be done,-
(a) either on consumer’s complaint or upon inspection by the distribution licensee, if the meter is prima facie found to be defective or burnt or stolen not due to causes attributable to the consumer, the licensee shall restore supply through a new meter at its own cost within the timelines as specified by the Commission;
(b) if, after investigation, it is found that the meter has become defective or burnt or stolen due to causes attributable to the consumer, the necessary charges shall be recovered from the consumer as specified by the Commission;
(c) within a time period, to be specified by the Commission not exceeding twenty-four hours in urban areas and seventy-two hours in rural areas by the distribution licensee.
(14) Non-availability of meter shall not be a reason for delay in restoration of supply.
(15) If the meter is installed outside the consumer’s premises, distribution licensee shall be responsible for safe custody of the meter, and if the same is installed within the consumer’s premises, the consumer shall be responsible for the safe custody of meter.