Section 56
Disconnection of supply in default of payment.
About this Act
An Act to consolidate the laws relating to generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity and generally for taking measures conducive to development of electricity industry, promoting competition therein, protecting interest of consumers and supply of electricity to all areas, rationalisation of electricity tariff, ensuring transparent policies regarding subsidies, promotion of efficient and environmentally benign policies, constitution of Central Electricity Authority, Regulatory Commissions and establishment of Appellate Tribunal and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(1) Where any person neglects to pay any
charge for electricity or any sum other than a charge for electricity due from him to a licensee or the
generating company in respect of supply, transmission or distribution or wheeling of electricity to him,
the licensee or the generating company may, after giving not less than fifteen clear days' notice in
writing, to such person and without prejudice to his rights to recover such charge or other sum by suit, cut
off the supply of electricity and for that purpose cut or disconnect any electric supply line or other works
being the property of such licensee or the generating company through which electricity may have been
supplied, transmitted, distributed or wheeled and may discontinue the supply until such charge or other
sum, together with any expenses incurred by him in cutting off and reconnecting the supply, are paid, but
no longer:
Provided that the supply of electricity shall not be cut off if such person deposits, under protest,--
(a) an amount equal to the sum claimed from him, or
(b) the electricity charges due from him for each month calculated on the basis of average charge for electricity paid by him during the preceding six months,
whichever is less, pending disposal of any dispute between him and the licensee.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no sum due from any consumer, under this section shall be recoverable after the period of two years from the date when such sum became first due unless such sum has been shown continuously as recoverable as arrear of charges for electricity supplied and the licensee shall not cut off the supply of the electricity.
Provided that the supply of electricity shall not be cut off if such person deposits, under protest,--
(a) an amount equal to the sum claimed from him, or
(b) the electricity charges due from him for each month calculated on the basis of average charge for electricity paid by him during the preceding six months,
whichever is less, pending disposal of any dispute between him and the licensee.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no sum due from any consumer, under this section shall be recoverable after the period of two years from the date when such sum became first due unless such sum has been shown continuously as recoverable as arrear of charges for electricity supplied and the licensee shall not cut off the supply of the electricity.