Electricity Act, 2003
56. Disconnection of
supply in default of payment.-
1.
Where
any person neglects to pay any charge for electricity or any sum other than a
charge for electricity due from him to a licensee or the generating company in
respect of supply, transmission or distribution or wheeling of electricity to
him, the licensee or the generating company may, after giving not less than
fifteen clear days' notice in writing, to such person and without prejudice to
his rights to recover such charge or other sum by suit, cut off the supply of
electricity and for that purpose cut or disconnect any electric supply line or
other works being the property of such licensee or the generating company
through which electricity may have been supplied, transmitted, distributed or
wheeled and may discontinue the supply until such charge or other sum, together
with any expenses incurred by him in cutting off and reconnecting the supply,
are paid, but no longer:
Provided
that
the supply of electricity shall not be cut off if such person deposits, under
protest,-
a. an amount equal to
the sum claimed from him, or
b. the electricity
charges due from him for each month calculated on the basis of average charge
for electricity paid by him during the preceding six months, whichever is less,
pending disposal of any dispute between him and the licensee.
2.
Notwithstanding
anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no sum due
from any consumer, under this section shall be recoverable after the period of
two years from the date when such sum became first due unless such sum has been
shown continuously as recoverable as arrear of charges for electricity supplied
and the licensee shall not cut off the supply of the electricity.