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CERS calls for action against electricity board

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Our Regional Bureau Ahmedabad
Last Updated : Feb 06 2013 | 6:19 PM IST
Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS) has filed a review petition with the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) asking the commission to direct the Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB) to issue a fresh circular allowing consumers to install their own meters.
 
In the petition filed on March 12, the CERS also urged the GERC to test the meters installed periodically as per the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956, and penalise the GEB for violations of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 and 2003.
 
"The GEB had earlier agreed to withdraw the circular and issue a fresh one, but it has not been done so till the review petition was filed,'' the CERS petition said.
 
The case relates to a GEB circular issued in May 2003 directing its divisional offices not to allow consumers to install their own meters as long as the GEB has enough meters. The Ahmedabad-based consumer rights organisation then filed a petition on January 12 before the GERC against the GEB's circular.
 
After two hearings on February 9 and 23, the GERC passed an order on February 23. "It appears that the GEB has no objection if any consumer wants to install private meters. According to the Electricity Act 2003, a consumer can install his own meter but it should be duly tested and certified by the GEB,'' the GERC order said.
 
It added that, since the GEB has agreed to allow private meters and was going to withdraw circular no 782 issued in May 2003, the GERC is disposing off the CERS petition.
 
The GERC said that the GEB's counsel had explained that the electricity board's circular was issued since GEB had procured and held in stock adequate number of meters. The intention was only to ensure the use of meters in stock.
 
The GEB counsel assured that the board has decided to withdraw the circular and issue a fresh circular allowing consumers to install private meters with certain specifications.

 
 

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First Published: Mar 19 2004 | 12:00 AM IST

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