JSERC Regulations 8

Section 8 · Execution of Agreement and General Conditions of Supply

- 8.1 Execution of Agreement8.1.1The Distribution Licensee may require the applicant to execute an agreement for obtaining new connection, for change of name, and for enhancement or reduction of sanctioned load before commencement of supply:Provided that for sanctioned load of less than 50 kW (67 HP / 63 kVA), the agreement provided for in this clause 8.1.1 shall not be required and the application form submitted and accepted shall constitute the agreement.8.1.2A copy of the agreement shall be given to the consumer upon execution of the same. An electronic media version of the form of agreement shall be made available on the internet website of the Distribution Licensee in downloadable format.8.1.3If there is no separate written agreement between the Distribution Licensee and the consumer, the latter, after supply of electricity has commenced, shall be deemed to be bound by terms and conditions of these Regulations.8.1.4An agreement shall include the following:(a)name and address of the consumer/applicant;(b)address of the premises for which electricity supply has been requisitioned and for which the agreement is being executed;(c)sanctioned load/ contract demand;(d)purpose of usage of electricity;(e)declaration by the applicant/consumer:(i)to abide by provisions of Act and these Regulations;(ii)to pay for the supply of electricity based on prevailing tariff rates;(iii)to pay for all other charges as become due in accordance with these Regulations and the approved schedule of charges of the Distribution Licensee;(iv)to deposit such security as the Distribution Licensee may be entitled to require from him under the Act and these Regulations.8.1.5The agreement shall be deemed to be terminated upon permanent disconnection of the consumer or where the consumer remains disconnected for a period of more than 6 months: Provided that the termination of agreement is without prejudice to the rights of the Distribution Licensee or the consumer under the Act for recovery of any amounts due under the agreement.8.1.6A consumer may terminate the agreement after giving a notice of thirty (30) days to the Distribution Licensee.8.1.7Whenever an agreement is terminated by notice given by the consumer, the Distribution Licensee shall give a written intimation to the consumer within five (5) days after termination failing which it shall be construed that such intimation has been given to the consumer.

8.2

General Conditions of Supply Connected Load. - 8.2.1 The method of determination of connected load is given in Annexure 8 to these Regulations.

8.2.2

Demand Note. - The demand note shall be prepared as per the provisions of these Regulations and on the basis of schedule of charges approved by the Commission from time to time. The Distribution Licensee shall submit a proposal to the Commission for approval of various charges to be charged by the Distribution Licensee in demand notes as per these Regulations. The demand note, once made for an applicant, shall be valid for the time period as mentioned in clause 6.20. Disputes regarding the demand note may be referred to the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) for adjudication.

8.2.3Point of Supply. - Subject to clause 5.4 of these Regulations, supply shall normally be given at a single point in the premises at the incoming terminals of switchgear installed by the consumer. The point of supply shall be determined by the Distribution Licensee such that meters and other equipment are always accessible to the Distribution Licensee for inspection without infringing upon the consumer's privacy. All HT & EHT consumers shall provide independent entry to the meter or metering cubical. However, in special cases, the Distribution Licensee may agree to give supply at more than one point in the consumer's installation on account of the physical layout of the installation and the requirements of the consumer.

8.2.4At the point of commencement of supply, the consumer shall provide a main switch/circuit breaker. In addition, HT & EHT consumers shall also provide suitable protective devices as per the provisions of clause 35 of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electricity Supply) Regulations, 2010, in force from time to time. The system of protection shall have to be approved by the Distribution Licensee before commencement of supply.

8.2.5HT and EHT consumers shall install step-down transformers with a vector group with delta winding on the high voltage side and star winding on the low voltage side, with the neutral terminal brought out and solidly earthed.

8.2.6The meter, meter boards, service mains, MCB/CB, load limiters etc., must on no account be handled or removed by anyone who is not an authorised employee/representative of the Distribution Licensee. Seals which are fixed on the meters/metering equipments, load limiters and the Distribution Licensee's apparatus, must on no account be tampered with, damaged or broken. It is the consumer's responsibility to keep in safe custody the Distribution Licensee's equipments and seals on the meters/metering equipments within the consumer's premises.

8.2.7In the event of any damage caused to the Distribution Licensee's equipments within the consumer's premises by reason of any act, neglect or default of the consumer or his employees, the cost thereof as claimed by the Distribution Licensee shall be payable by the consumer. If the consumer fails to do so after demand, it shall be treated as a contravention of the terms and conditions of supply agreement and the electricity supply is liable to be disconnected.

8.2.8Security Deposit. - A security deposit shall be made by the applicant for new connection to cover:

(a)

the estimated power consumption for the billing cycle period plus forty five (45) days:

Provided that for consumers opting for prepaid meters, there will be no security deposit towards power consumption; and

(b)

payment due to the Distribution Licensee for any electric line or electrical plant or electric meter that is to be provided for supplying electricity to person.

Provided that in the case of seasonal consumers, the average of the billing for the season for which supply is provided shall be calculated.

8.2.9The estimated security deposit amount for different categories while releasing new connections shall be calculated as per the methodology given in Annexure 18 to these Regulations. In case of enhancement of load, only additional security to cover the additional consumption shall need to be deposited, estimated as per the methodology given:

Provided that for consumers who have opted for availing phased contract demand, revision of security deposit for the existing load shall be based on actual consumption of the previous financial year, while security deposit for additional load released during the year shall be estimated on the basis of the methodology given in Annexure 18 to these Regulations.

8.2.10Subsequently, the security deposit shall be revised as per the procedure defined in clause 8.2.17 of these Regulations. The security deposit available with the Distribution Licensee in respect of each consumer shall be shown in the bill issued to the consumer.

8.2.11Any shortfall in the amount of security deposit shall be adjusted by the Distribution Licensee either through a maximum of two electricity bills sent to the concerned consumer, or by asking the consumer to make a direct payment to the Distribution Licensee. The Distribution Licensee shall be entitled to serve notice to the consumer to deposit the amount of shortfall in security from the calculated security amount within thirty (30) days and if the consumer fails to deposit the intimated amount by the due date, the procedure for disconnection may be initiated by the Distribution Licensee in keeping with the provisions of these Regulations.

8.2.12Refund of excess security deposit to the consumer by the Distribution Licensee, as and when arises, shall be made through maximum of two electricity bills without any other formalities:

Provided that in case of refund on account of consumer switching to prepayment meter, the Distribution Licensee may follow the guidelines specified in clause 8.2.13 with regard to treatment of such consumer's security deposit.

8.2.13Where a consumer who has deposited a security amount subsequently opts to receive supply through a prepayment meter, the amount of such security deposit shall, after deduction of all monies owing from such consumer, be either refunded to such consumer or treated as a part of the value of the prepayment credit to the account of such consumer, from which the value of his future consumption is to be deducted.

8.2.14The Distribution Licensee may apply any security so deposited, towards satisfaction of any amount which is due or owing from the consumer. The Distribution Licensee may adjust and debit any amount which is due or owing from the consumer against the security deposited by that consumer.

8.2.15The security deposit, after recovery of all amounts due, shall be returned to consumer upon termination of Agreement within thirty (30) days of adjustment of all dues. In case of delay, interest equivalent to the State Bank of India base rate on the 1st of April of the year shall be payable to the consumer.

8.2.16Interest on Security Deposit. - The Distribution Licensee shall pay interest to the consumer at the State Bank of India base rate prevailing on the 1st of April for the year, payable annually on the consumer's security deposit with effect from date of such deposit in case of new connections energized after the date of this notification, or in other cases, from the date of notification of these Regulations.

The interest accrued during the year shall be adjusted in the consumer's bill for the first billing cycle of the ensuing financial year.

8.2.17Review of Security Deposit. - The Distribution Licensee shall recalculate the amount of security based on the actual billing of the consumer once in each financial year:

Provided that where the amount of security deposited by the consumer is more than 110% of such calculated security for the financial year, the licensee shall refund the excess amount over the calculated security amount to the consumer by way of adjustment within 2 successive bills of the consumer:Provided that in case where the amount of security deposited by the consumer is less than 90% of the such security calculated for the financial year, the licensee shall be entitled to serve notice to the consumer to deposit the amount of shortfall in security from the calculated security amount within two billing cycles and if the consumer fail to deposit the security amount within the due date, his service connection may be disconnected.

8.2.18Any excess / deficient amount of security deposit shall be refunded / recovered in the manner detailed in clauses 8.2.11 to 8.2.13 of these Regulations.

8.2.19Mode of Payment of Security Deposit. - The amount payable towards security deposit shall be in the form of cash, Banker's Cheque or demand draft (DD) drawn in favour of the licensee. Cheques and demand drafts shall be payable at any branch of a scheduled commercial bank that is a member of the clearing house for the area where the concerned Sub Divisional Office is located.

8.2.20The Consumer whose total amount of Security Deposit exceeds Rs. 10 Lacs may, at his option, furnish irrevocable Bank Guarantee from a nationalized or scheduled commercial Bank initially valid for a period of two years. It shall be the responsibility of the consumer to keep the Bank Guarantee valid at all times and to renew the Bank Guarantee at least 2 months prior to its expiry:

8.2.21Resale of Energy. - The consumer shall not supply any energy supplied to him by the Distribution Licensee to another person or other premises unless he holds a suitable sanction or licence for distribution and sale of energy granted by the Commission/State Government or has been exempted from obtaining the licence or has been appointed as a franchisee. Page 39 Access to Consumer's Premises

8.2.22Subject to the provisions contained in Part XII, Part XIV and Section 163 of the Act, the Distribution Licensee shall not seek entry to the consumer's premises beyond the point of supply.

8.2.23The Distribution Licensee or any person duly authorised by the Distribution Licensee may, on informing the occupier of his intention, enter any consumer premises to which electricity is, or has been, supplied by him, or any premises or land, under, over, along, across, in or upon which the electric supply-lines or other works have been lawfully placed by him for the purpose of:

(a)inspecting, testing, repairing or altering the electric supply lines, meters, fittings, works and apparatus for the supply of electricity belonging to the Distribution Licensee;

(b)ascertaining the amount of electricity supplied or the electrical quantity contained in the supply; or

(c)

removing where a supply of electricity is no longer required, or where the Distribution Licensee is authorised to take away and cut off such supply, any electric supply-lines, meters, fittings, works or apparatus belonging to the Distribution Licensee:

Provided that no inspection of any domestic premises shall be carried out between sunset and sunrise except in the presence of an adult male member occupying such premises, or an adult male representative:Provided further that while seeking entry into the consumers' premises, the Authorised Representative shall visibly display his name-tag and produce for scrutiny, proof of identity or authorization of the Distribution Licensee and shall inform the consumer of his reason for entry into the premises. The Authorised Representative shall also carry the job sheet or work order setting out the work required to be done at the premises and show the same to the consumer before entering the premises.

8.2.24A licensee or any person authorised as aforesaid may also, in pursuance of a special order in this behalf made by an Executive Magistrate and after giving not less than 24 hours' notice in writing to the occupier:

(a)enter any premises or land referred to in clause 8.2.22 for any of the purposes mentioned therein; or

(b)enter any premises to which electricity is to be supplied by him, for the purpose of examining and testing the electric wires, fittings, works and apparatus for the use of electricity belonging to the consumer.

8.2.25Where a consumer refuses to allow the Distribution Licensee or any person authorised as aforesaid to enter his premises or land in pursuance to the provisions of above Regulations, or when such licensee or any person has so entered, refuses to allow him to perform any act which he is authorised by those Regulations to perform, or fails to give reasonable facilities for such entry or performance, the Distribution Licensee may, after the expiry of 24 hours from the service of a notice in writing on the consumer, cut off the supply to the consumer for so long as such refusal or failure continues.

8.2.26Where there is reason to believe that electricity has been, is being or is likely to be used unauthorisedly in place of premises, an officer authorized by the State Government under Section 135 of the Act may

(a)Enter, inspect break open and search any place or premises in which he has to believe that electricity has been, is being, or is likely to be, used un-authorisedly;

(b)Search, seize and remove all such devices, instrument, wires and any other facilitator or article which has been, is being, or is likely to be, used for unauthorized use of electricity;

(c)Examine or seize any books of account or documents which in his opinion shall be useful for or relevant to any proceedings in respect of the offence under sub-section (1) and allow the person from whose custody such books of account or documents are seized to make copies thereof or take extracts there from in his presence.

8.2.27The occupant of the place of search or any person on his behalf shall remain present during the search and a list of all things seized in the course of such search shall be prepared and delivered to such occupant or person who shall sign the list.

8.2.28Wiring of Consumer Premises. - The work of electrical wiring and electrical installation at the consumer premises beyond the point of supply shall be carried out by the consumer and shall conform to the standards and specifications as prescribed in Indian Electricity Rules 1956 until the rules and regulations for the same are notified under the provisions of the Act.

8.2.29Tampering, distress or damage to electrical plant, lines or meter. - No person other than the authorized representative of the Distribution Licensee or any other person authorised under the Act and rules and regulations made thereunder shall be authorized to operate, handle, remove or interfere with any electrical plant, electric lines, meters, equipment etc. of the Distribution Licensee or break remove erase or otherwise interfere with the seals, name plates and identification numbers or marks affixed on such property of the Distribution License, placed in the consumer premises.

8.2.30If any consumer adopts any electrical appliance which is likely to affect injuriously the supply of other consumers or uses the energy supplied or deals with it in any manner so as to unduly or improperly interfere with the efficient supply of energy to any other person by the Distribution Licensee; the Distribution Licensee may discontinue the supply so long as such an appliance is so adopted or the energy is so used or dealt with.

8.2.31If the equipment i.e. electrical plant, lines or meter etc. of the Distribution Licensee placed in the consumer premises is found tampered, distressed/damaged, the Distribution Licensee shall be entitled to recover the expenses incurred for restoration of such plant, line, meter etc., without prejudice to his right to take Action under appropriate provisions of the Act, including disconnection of supply under Section 56 of the Act for non-payment of the cost for replacement/rectification.

8.2.32Wherever un-authorized use of electricity is being indulged in, the Distribution Licensee may discontinue the electricity supply so long as such unauthorized use of electricity is being done without prejudice to the right of licensee to take action under law including Section 126 of the Act. Section 126 of the Electricity Act, 2003 is for assessment of charges for unauthorized use of electricity. This provision would also be applicable to those cases where action is taken for offences under Section 135 of the Electricity Act 2003 and the situation of alleged commitment of offence is covered under the provisions of Section 126 of the Electricity Act 2003.

8.2.33Failure of Supply due to Fuse Failure. - Should at any time the Distribution Licensee's service fuse or fuses fail, notice thereof should be sent to the Distribution Licensee's local office or call centre or, if there are sub-stations, to the nearest sub-station. Only authorised representatives of the Distribution Licensee are permitted to replace these fuses in the Distribution Licensee's cut-outs. Consumers are not allowed to replace these fuses and they will render themselves liable to penalty if the Distribution Licensee's seals placed to protect the Distribution Licensee's apparatus are broken. The Distribution Licensee should not allow his employees to carry out any repair or replacement of fuses beyond the outgoing terminal of meter at the consumer's installation.

8.2.34Installation of AC Motors. - No AC motor shall be connected to the low or medium voltage system of the Distribution Licensee unless the motor and the installation thereof has a suitable device to limit the starting current in accordance with the requirement indicated below.

(a)Power supply shall not be given to any applicant at low or medium voltage for utilizing induction motors of 3 HP capacity or above or welding transformers of 1 kVA capacity or above, unless shunt capacitors of appropriate rating are installed by the consumer across the terminal of such motors and welding transformers to achieve an average monthly power factor that is specified in this Code.

(b)Motors of low or medium voltage shall be provided with control gear to satisfactorily prevent the maximum current demand from the consumer's installation exceeding the limits given in the following schedule under all possible conditions:

Nature of Supply	Size of Installation	Max. Current Demand
Single phase/ three phase	(a) Up to and including 1 BHP.	Six times full load current
(b) Above 1 BHP and up to and including 10 BHP	Three times full load current
(c) Above 10 BHP and up to and including 15 BHP	Two times the full load current
(d) Above 15 BHP	One and a half times the full load current

Failure to comply with these requirements shall render the consumer liable to be disconnected. The Distribution Licensee may, depending on the location and condition of working, relax the starting current limit.

(c)A triple pole linked switch protected by a no-volt release shall control the motor circuit and triple pole fuses (or overload release). It is important that the release shall be maintained in good working order. Wiring for motors shall be run with all three-phase wire bunches in a metallic conduit, which shall be effectively earthed throughout and shall be connected to the frame of the motor from which two separate earth wires shall run. The minimum permissible size of the earth wire permitted shall be No. 14 SWG. Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electricity Supply) Regulations, 2010, as amended from time to time, shall be complied with in every respect.

(d)

Total harmonic voltage distortion shall not exceed the limits mentioned below:

EHT = 4%HT = 10%LT = 15%

(e)

In addition, synchronous motors shall also be provided with an apparatus to control watt-less current.

8.2.35Installation of Irrigation/Agriculture Pump Set. - All new pumping set connection/reconnections shall have the following:

(a)Friction less foot valve

(b)HDPE piping suction and delivery

(c)ISI marked energy efficient monobloc pump set.

(d)Capacitor of adequate rating for the pump set.

8.2.36Parallel Operation with the Supply System of licensee. - The consumer shall arrange the plant, machinery and apparatus of his generating units, including an extension of or addition to the same, to operate in an isolated mode, with the consent of the Commission, for capacity above 50 kW. Where consent has been given for parallel operation, the consumer shall arrange his installation to protect it from disturbances in the Distribution Licensees system. The Distribution Licensee shall not be liable for any damage caused to the consumer's plant, machinery and apparatus on account of such parallel operation, or any adverse consequence arising thereof. For parallel operation with the grid, the consumer shall have to follow the provisions of the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (State Grid Code) Regulations, 2008 and other relevant regulations and shall pay synchronizing charges as approved by the Commission. The actual operations shall be carried out in coordination with the STU and the Distribution Licensee.

8.2.37If it is brought to the notice of the SLDC/licensee that a particular consumer is using electricity during emergency rostering by unauthorised or irregular means, the feeder feeding such a consumer shall be opened to de-energise it from the source grid sub-station, on instructions from the SLDC, for which the consumer shall be solely responsible.

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