Electricity Act, 2003
47. Power to require
security.-
1.
Subject
to the provisions of this section, a distribution licensee may require any
person, who requires a supply of electricity in pursuance of section 43, to
give him reasonable security, as may be determined by regulations, for the
payment to him of all monies which may become due to him--
a. in respect of the
electricity supplied to such person; or
b. where any electric
line or electrical plant or electric meter is to be Provided for supplying
electricity to such person, in respect of the provision of such line or plant
or meter, and if that person fails to give such security, the distribution
licensee may, if he thinks fit, refuse to give the supply of electricity or to
provide the line or plant or meter for the period during which the failure
continues.
1.
2.
Where
any person has not given such security as is mentioned in sub-section (1) or
the security given by any person has become invalid or insufficient, the
distribution licensee may, by notice, require that person, within thirty days
after the service of the notice, to give him reasonable security for the
payment of all monies which may become due to him in respect of the supply of
electricity or provision of such line or plant or meter.
3.
If
the person referred to in sub-section (2) fails to give such security, the
distribution licensee may, if he thinks fit, discontinue the supply of
electricity for the period during which the failure continues.
4.
The
distribution licensee shall pay interest equivalent to the bank rate or more,
as may be specified by the concerned State Commission, on the security referred
to in subsection (1) and refund such security on the request of the person who
gave such security.
5.
A
distribution licensee shall not be entitled to require security in pursuance of
clause (a) of sub-section (1) if the person requiring the supply is prepared to
take the supply through a pre-payment meter.