(1) Every bill for dues payable to the Board by a debtor shall be in the form prescribed by the Board and shall specify conspicuously the date, by which such dues are to be paid and shall be served in such manner as may be prescribed by rules.
(2) (a) If a debtor disputes his liability to pay the whole or part of the dues specified in the bill referred to in sub-section (1), he may, within such time as may be prescribed, prefer an appeal to the appellate authority to be specified by the Board.
(b) The appellate authority shall, while deciding the appeal, follow such procedure as may be prescribed by rules.
(c) The dues as determined by the appellate authority in the case of an appeal under this sub-section, shall be paid by such date as may be specified by the appellate authority.
(3) If the dues as mentioned in the bill under sub- section (1) are not paid by the date specified in the bill, and in the case of an appeal under sub-section (2), the dues as determined by the appellate authority are not paid by the date specified by such authority, the debtor shall be liable to pay, in addition thereto such penalty which may be specified by the Board, and such dues and penalty shall be recoverable along with the costs incurred in making such recovery, in the manner hereinafter laid down in this Act.
4. If the dues as mentioned in the bill under sub-section (1) of section 3 are not paid by the date specified in the bill and in the case of an appeal under sub-section (2) of section 3, the dues as determined by the appellate authority are not paid by the date specified by such authority, the prescribed authority may at any time serve or cause to be served upon him a notice of demand in the prescribed form, stating the name of the debtor, the amount payable by him on account of the various dues, penalty and the costs of recovery.
Bills to state the date by which payment are to be made and consequences of non-payment.
Notice of demand for dues and penalty not paid.
1978: T.N. Act 29] Electricity Board (Recovery of Dues)
Explanation.--The sending of the notice by registered post shall be deemed to be sufficient service on the person concerned.
5. Where a notice of demand has been served on, the debtor or his authorised agent under section 4, he may, if he denies his liability to pay the dues, penalty or cost or any part of any of them, institute a suit within three months from the date of service of notice of demand, after depositing with the prescribed authority the aggregate amount specified in the notice of demand under protest in writing that he is not liable to pay the same. Subject to the result of such suit, the notice of demand shall be conclusive proof of the various dues, penalty and costs mentioned therein.