(1) (a) In case a consumer desires that his meter to be permanently disconnected, he shall apply for the same to the distribution licensee and the licensee shall arrange for a special meter reading and prepare a final bill.
(b) The disconnection shall be done immediately after payment of the final bill. The balance amount due to any consumption between the final reading and the permanent disconnection, if any, may be adjusted 18 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] against the security amount with the distribution licensee. The remaining security deposit shall be refunded to the consumer within such period as specified by the Commission, not exceeding seven days.
(2) In case the disconnection has been done on account of non-payment of past dues, the licensee shall reconnect the consumer’s installation within such time as specified by the Commission, not exceeding six working hours of receipt of past dues and other charges as applicable.
(3) Pre-payment meters will be designed to automatically cut off supply when the amount credited is exhausted. This shall however not be treated as a disconnection and the supply will be resumed whenever the meter is recharged.