Act 36 of 2003

The Electricity Act, 2003

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.

  • Ministry of Power
  • Enacted 2003-05-26
  • 188 sections
SectionTitle
1 Short title, extent and commencement. Read
2 Definitions. Read
3 National Electricity Policy and Plan. Read
4 National policy on stand alone systems for rural areas and non-conventional energy systems. Read
5 National policy on electrification and local distribution in rural areas. Read
6 Joint responsibility of State Government and Central Government in rural electrification. Read
7 Generating company and requirement for setting up of generating station. Read
8 Hydro-electric generation. Read
9 Captive generation. Read
10 Duties of generating companies. Read
11 Directions to generating companies. Read
12 Authorised persons to transmit, supply, etc., electricity. Read
13 Power to exempt. Read
14 Grant of licence. Read
15 Procedure for grant of licence. Read
16 Conditions of licence. Read
17 Licensee not to do certain things. Read
18 Amendment of licence. Read
19 Revocation of licence. Read
20 Sale of utilities of licensees. Read
21 Vesting of utility in purchaser. Read
22 Provisions where no purchase takes place. Read
23 Directions to licensees. Read
24 Suspension of distribution licence and sale of utility. Read
25 Inter-State, regional and inter-regional transmission. Read
26 National Load Despatch Centre. Read
27 Constitution of Regional Load Despatch Centre. Read
28 Functions of Regional Load Despatch Centre. Read
29 Compliance of directions. Read
30 Transmission within a State. Read
31 Constitution of State Load Despatch Centres. Read
32 Functions of State Load Despatch Centres. Read
33 Compliance of directions. Read
34 Grid Standards. Read
35 Intervening transmission facilities. Read
36 Charges for intervening transmission facilities. Read
37 Directions by Appropriate Government. Read
38 Central Transmission Utility and functions. Read
39 State Transmission Utility and functions. Read
40 Duties of transmission licensees. Read
41 Other business of transmission licensee. Read
42 Duties of distribution licensee and open access. Read
43 Duty to supply on request. Read
44 Exceptions from duty to supply electricity. Read
45 Power to recover charges. Read
46 Power to recover expenditure. Read
47 Power to require security. Read
48 Additional terms of supply. Read
49 Agreements with respect to supply or purchase of electricity. Read
50 The Electricity supply code. Read
51 Other businesses of distribution licensees. Read
52 Provisions with respect to electricity trader. Read
53 Provision relating to safety and electricity supply. Read
54 Control of transmission and use of electricity. Read
55 Use, etc., of meters. Read
56 Disconnection of supply in default of payment. Read
57 Standards of performance of licensee. Read
58 Different standards of performance by licensee. Read
59 Information with respect to levels of performance. Read
60 Market domination. Read
61 Tariff regulations. Read
62 Determination of tariff. Read
63 Determination of tariff by bidding process. Read
64 Procedure for tariff order. Read
65 Provision of subsidy by State Government. Read
66 Development of market. Read
67 Provision as to opening up of streets, railways, etc. Read
68 Overhead lines. Read
69 Notice to telegraph authority. Read
70 Constitution, etc., of Central Electricity Authority. Read
71 Members not to have certain interest. Read
72 Officers and staff of Authority. Read
73 Functions and duties of Authority. Read
74 Power to require statistics and returns. Read
75 Directions by Central Government to Authority. Read
76 Constitution of Central Commission. Read
77 Qualifications for appointment of Members of Central Commission. Read
78 Constitution of Selection Committee to recommend Members. Read
79 Functions of Central Commission. Read
80 Central Advisory Committee. Read
81 Objects of Central Advisory Committee. Read
82 Constitution of State Commission. Read
83 Joint Commission. Read
84 Qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members of State Commission. Read
85 Constitution of Selection Committee to select Members of State Commission. Read
86 Functions of State Commission. Read
87 State Advisory Committee. Read
88 Objects of State Advisory Committee. Read
89 Term of office and conditions of service of Members. Read
90 Removal of Member. Read
91 Secretary, officers and other employees of Appropriate Commission. Read
92 Proceedings of Appropriate Commission. Read
93 Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings. Read
94 Powers of Appropriate Commission. Read
95 Proceedings before Commission. Read
96 Powers of entry and seizure. Read
97 Delegation. Read
98 Grants and loans by Central Government. Read
99 Establishment of Fund by Central Government. Read
100 Accounts and audit of Central Commission. Read
101 Annual report of Central Commission. Read
102 Grants and Loans by State Government. Read
103 Establishment of Fund by State Government. Read
104 Accounts and audit of State Commission. Read
105 Annual report of State Commission. Read
106 Budget of Appropriate Commission. Read
107 Directions by Central Government. Read
108 Directions by State Government. Read
109 Directions to Joint Commission. Read
110 Establishment of Appellate Tribunal. Read
111 Appeal to Appellate Tribunal. Read
112 Composition of Appellate Tribunal. Read
113 Qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Member of Appellate Tribunal. Read
114 Term of office. Read
115 Terms and conditions of service. Read
116 Vacancies. Read
117 Resignation and removal. Read
117A Qualifications, terms and conditions of service of Chairperson and Member.Read
118 Member to act as Chairperson in certain circumstances. Read
119 Officers and other employees of Appellate Tribunal. Read
120 Procedure and powers of Appellate Tribunal. Read
121 Power of Appellate Tribunal. Read
122 Distribution of business amongst Benches and transfer of cases from one Bench to another Bench. Read
123 Decision to be by majority. Read
124 Right of appellant to take assistance of legal practitioner and of Appropriate Commission to appoint presenting officers. Read
125 Appeal to Supreme Court. Read
126 Assessment. Read
127 Appeal to Appellate Authority. Read
128 Investigation of certain matters. Read
129 Orders for securing compliance. Read
130 Procedure for issuing directions by Appropriate Commission. Read
131 Vesting of property of Board in State Government. Read
132 Use of proceeds of sale or transfer of Board, etc. Read
133 Provisions relating to officers and employees. Read
134 Payment of compensation or damages on transfer. Read
135 Theft of Electricity. Read
136 Theft of electric lines and materials. Read
137 Punishment for receiving stolen property. Read
138 Interference with meters or works of licensee. Read
139 Negligently breaking or damaging works. Read
140 Penalty for intentionally injuring works. Read
141 Extinguishing public lamps. Read
142 Punishment for non-compliance of directions by Appropriate Commission. Read
143 Power to adjudicate. Read
144 Factors to be taken into account by adjudicating officer. Read
145 Civil courts not to have jurisdiction. Read
146 Punishment for non-compliance of orders or directions. Read
147 Penalties not to affect other liabilities. Read
148 Penalty where works belong to Government. Read
149 Offences by companies. Read
150 Abetment. Read
151 Cognizance of offences. Read
151A Power of police to investigate. Read
151B Certain offences to be cognizable and non-bailable. Read
152 Compounding of offences. Read
153 Constitution of Special Courts. Read
154 Procedure and power of Special Court. Read
155 Special Court to have powers of Court of Session. Read
156 Appeal and revision. Read
157 Review. Read
158 Arbitration. Read
159 Protection of railways, highways, airports and canals, docks, wharfs and piers. Read
160 Protection of telegraphic, telephonic and electric signalling lines. Read
161 Notice of accidents and injuries. Read
162 Appointment of Chief Electrical Inspector and Electrical Inspector. Read
163 Power for licensee to enter premises and to remove fittings or other apparatus of licensee. Read
164 Exercise of powers of Telegraph Authority in certain cases. Read
165 Amendment of sections 40 and 41 of Act 1 of 1894. Read
166 Coordination forum. Read
167 Exemption of electric lines or electrical plants from attachment in certain cases. Read
168 Protection of action taken in good faith. Read
169 Members, officers, etc., of Appellate Tribunal, Appropriate Commission to be public servants. Read
170 Recovery of penalty payable under this Act. Read
171 Services of notices, orders or documents. Read
172 Transitional provisions. Read
173 Inconsistency in laws. Read
174 Act to have overriding effect. Read
175 Provisions of this Act to be in addition to and not in derogation of other laws. Read
176 Power of Central Government to make rules. Read
177 Powers of Authority to make regulations. Read
178 Powers of Central Commission to make regulations. Read
179 Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament. Read
180 Powers of State Governments to make rules. Read
181 Powers of State Commissions to make regulations. Read
182 Rules and regulations to be laid before State Legislature. Read
183 Power to remove difficulties. Read
184 Provisions of Act not apply in certain cases. Read
185 Repeal and saving. Read
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