Ref : E&R/press/legal-kkb/meter.19/sam-dG

Direct GEB to review order on private meters : CERS urges GERC

Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Ahmedabad, filed a petition on 12 January 2004 before the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) against the Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB)’s circular (No. 782) directing its Divisional Offices not to allow consumers to put their own meters as long as the GEB has enough stock of meters.

After two hearings on 9 and 23 February 2004, the GERC passed an order on 23 February 2004. CERS received a certified copy of the order passed by the Commission the same day.

The order stated that the GEB’s counsel explained that Circular No.782 was issued since the Board had procured and held in stock adequate number of meters. The intention was only to ensure the use of meters in stock. He added that the Board has decided to withdraw the circular and issue a fresh circular allowing consumers to install private meters with certain specifications.

The order stated “It appears that the GEB has no objection if any consumer wants to install private meters. According to the Electricity Act 2003, (Section 55, Sub-section 1) a consumer can install his own meter but it should be duly tested and certified by the GEB.”

GERC’s order added that since the GEB has agreed to allow private meters and was going to withdraw circular no.782 dated 16 May 2003, it disposed of the petition. CERS in a recent petition noted, “The GEB agreed to withdraw the circular and issue a fresh one , but it has not been done so till the review petition was filed.” Thus it violated the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act 1910 and 2003.

In the 12 March 2004 review petition, CERS requested the GERC to direct the GEB:

* To issue fresh circular and withdraw the old one simultaneously within a specified time.

* To issue a Press Note in local vernacular newspapers informing consumers that now they can install private meters.

* To test the meter periodically as per the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.

* To penalise the GEB for violations of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 and 2003.

* To award adequate costs to CERS for filing the review petition.

 

Date : 18/03/2004
Place : Ahmedabad

Pritee Shah
Editor
INSIGHT - The Consumer Magazine

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CONSUMER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH SOCIETY
“Suraksha Sankool”, Thaltej, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad- 380 054 (INDIA)
Phone: 079-27489945-46 Fax: 079-27489947
E-mail: cerc@wilnetonline.net
Web Site: http://www.cercindia.org
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