Can your electric connection be cut without a notice?

By N.S. Pradeep Kumar,  Mysore Grahakara Parishat

Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has recently received two complaints (both from senior citizens) about disconnection of electricity supply. In a case from Vijayashreepura, the consumer had forgotten to pay the electric bill and in a case from V.V. Puram, the consumer had paid the bill, but Chamundeshwari Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) had mistakenly credited the amount to someone else’s account and not to the consumer’s account. Electricity was cut immediately in both cases.

The question in such cases is whether CESC can immediately cut electricity supply when the bill payment is not credited to the consumer’s account before the deadline. The bill no doubt says on its reverse that it itself is the final notice before disconnection. But such a notice is against the directions of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC).

KERC has specified the procedures for disconnection to be adopted by all the electric supply companies in Karnataka (https://www.karnataka.gov.in/kerc/Consumer%20Advocacy/DISCONNECTION.pdf). The procedure is contained in the KERC (Electricity Supply) Code, 2004, which is now part of the Conditions of Supply of Electricity of Distribution Licensees in the State of Karnataka. The main provisions of this procedure are as follows:

• The ESCOM shall ensure that a notice is issued to the consumer in accordance with this Code/Supply Conditions. The notice shall be in writing and are expressed in plain language either in Kannada or in English.
• The notice should be sent by registered post, under certificate of posting, by courier or other similar means.
• The notice can also be handed over in person residing at the consumer’s address.
• The ESCOM can also affix the notice at a conspicuous part of the premises in case there is no person to whom the same can, with reasonable diligence, be delivered.
• In case the consumer has defaulted in payment of bills, the notice should

1. specify that the consumer has defaulted the payment of bills by the due date.
2. intimate the consumer that failure to pay the amount due will entitle the ESCOM to disconnect or restrict the supply of service to the premises.
3. outline the availability of payment options as per regulations.
4. give at least 15 days for payment before disconnection.

CESC cannot disconnect electricity for non-payment of bill without issuing a notice described above. Consumers who are aggrieved by disconnection without such a notice can approach the consumer courts and obtain compensation for their suffering.