Electricity/Meter Disconnection and Reconnection Rules

The provision of electricity is a vital cornerstone of daily life. However, the disconnection of electricity is a multifaceted process, encompassing a range of reasons and regulations. This article will elaborate the complexities of electricity disconnection, shedding light on the formalities and protocols that govern this procedure.

The consumer has defaulted on payment for electricity bills.

The consumer is responsible to pay the electricity bill by the specified due date mentioned in the bill. If the payment is made after the due date, the late payment surcharge is applicable. However, the electricity connection will not be cut off as long as the current month’s bill remains unpaid, as long as there are no pending dues from previous periods.

Electricity is not disconnected on default of on month bill. If the previous month’s bill remains unpaid, DISCO will issue a seven-day notice along with the second month’s bill, requiring the consumer to pay dues or face disconnection; this notice may also be included on the electricity bill to ensure clarity.

If payment is not received and the due date on the second month’s bill passes, DISCO may disconnect supply to the defaulting premises; reconnection will only occur upon full payment with late charges or approved installment payments by the consumer.

Failing to clear the bills for the third month and previous two months by the third month bill’s due date will lead DISCO to issue an Equipment Removal Order (ERO), Electricity supply will be disconnected and a permanent disconnection code will be assigned.

Reconnection will be possible after paying all dues and following reconnection procedures; consumer liability is waived if DISCO opts not to remove equipment.

Consumers permitted by DISCO to pay in installments won’t face disconnection while actively paying. Yet, if installment payments lapse, electricity supply will be halted.it will be reconnected only after 50% payment.

When one consumer defaults on a premises with multiple connections under different names, others connections won’t be cut, but DISCO ensures that there is no power usage from another connection for the defaulted section.

When a single owner holds multiple connections and one defaults, DISCO can allocate a permanent disconnection code through proper protocol. In such situations, outstanding dues from the defaulted connection may be transferred to the owner’s other active connection(s) for recovery.

A consumer who has raised a dispute or filed a complaint about incorrect billing with NEPRA, supported by restraining orders, will not be subject to disconnection for defaults. However, regular payment of current bills is still required.

When a consumer surpasses the sanctioned load, they will receive a notice to apply for load extension. The consumer must submit the load extension application within fifteen days of receiving the notice. If the consumer neglects to apply and fulfill necessary requirements, DISCO (insert its name) may disconnect the power supply.

For a consumer with an independent 11 kV feeder who defaults, DISCO (insert its name) will assign a permanent disconnection code and await reconnection for a year. If reconnection isn’t pursued within a year, DISCO will issue a one-month notice for the consumer’s response. If no reply or an unsatisfactory reply is received, DISCO can repurpose the feeder after the notice period, adjusting dues based on the 11 kV feeder’s depreciated value; any excess amount after formalities will be reimbursed to the consumer.

A consumer seeking permanent premises disconnection should submit an application to the designated load sanctioning officer, who will coordinate the final electricity bill through the Revenue Officer/AM (CS). Upon bill payment, the load sanctioning officer will authorize a permanent disconnection order. Disconnection for consumer supply will be conducted using an ERO to prevent electricity misuse post-permanent disconnection. The consumer disconnected permanently won’t be held accountable for any misuse of electric supply from the facility if DISCO (insert its name) doesn’t remove it following the permanent disconnection.

If a disconnection initiated by the specified DISCO is later invalidated by NEPRA/POI/Court of Law or any relevant authoritative body, the consumer will not incur any expenses related to reconnection fees, fixed charges, minimum charges, or security deposit. However, the cost of materials will be borne by the consumer.

Customers who have been disconnected must submit an application to the AMO/AMCS if they wish to be reconnected. This can be done after paying all balances or adhering to the approved installment amount set by the Competent Authority. The AMO/AMCS will review and process the reconnection request from the customer based on the guidelines outlined in the Reconnection Policy.

The premises disconnected shall be eligible for reconnection by DISCO, with a potential duration of up to ten (10) years, adhering to the subsequent criteria:

For General Supply Tariff-(A- 1,A2) & General services (A-3) (single phase only)	A set fee of Rs. 200 applies for any duration,  as the minimum charge
For General Supply Tariff A-i A-2 & General Services A-3 (3-Phase Connections)   For Industrial Supply Tariff (B-i, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5) For Agriculture tube well and lift irriation jumps	If the supply has been disconnected for a duration of up to ninety days, the minimum or fixed charges will be applicable for the actual disconnection period. However, if the supply has been disconnected for over ninety days but less than three years, an extra charge equivalent to one month’s worth will be added for each quarter, in addition to the minimum/fixed charges for the initial ninety days. Periods shorter than a quarter will not be considered for the calculation of minimum/fixed charges recovery.   In cases where the disconnection period surpasses three years from the initial date of disconnection, the minimum/fixed charges applicable for the disconnected duration extending beyond three years up until the reconnection date will be collected, alongside the charges mentioned in sections (a) and (b) earlier. For the period exceeding three (03) years and extending to a maximum of ten (10) years, the minimum/fixed charges will be calculated at a rate of one month for each year. Any duration shorter than a year will not be taken into account for calculations.
For Bulk Supply Tariff(C-1, C-2, C-3) For Public Lighting Tariff-G For residential colonies that are linked to the premises of industrial supply consumers possessing their individual distribution infrastructure, applicable to a single supply point. Tarrif H	NIL     NIL     NIL

Description	Description fee
Arrears up to Rs. 5000/	500
Arrears between Rs. 5,001/- and Rs. 20000/-	800/-
Arrears between Rs. 20001/- and Rs. 1 Lac	2,000/-
Arrears between Rs. I Lac to Rs. 10 Lac	4,000/-
Arrears over Rs. 10 Lac	10,000/-
Disconnection of electricity supply due to dishonest abstraction of electricity	2 000/..
Seasonal Consumer	Nil

If there is a need for reconnection, the consumer will be required to pay a security deposit as outlined below:

Conclusion

Understanding the policies of reconnection and disconnection of electricity is Important. This article has shown why and how electricity can be disconnected, highlighting rules to follow. By knowing these things, we can all use electricity wisely, be fair to each other, and help keep our energy sources strong.