Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court has directed the Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Ltd to instal pre-paid meters for all high-tension consumers who require supply through a pre-paid meter within a period of six months
Justice A. Ramalingeswara Rao was allowing a batch of writ petitions by several HT consumers challenging the action of the power distribution companies in not installing pre-paid meters, but demanding additional consumption deposits.
After hearing the arguments of the respondents and petitioners, the judge ruled that the Electricity Act, 2003 empowers the distribution licensee to demand reasonable security for the electricity supplied to the consumer.
But, if the consumer is prepared to take the supply through a pre-paid meter, the distribution licencee cannot demand security.
The judge observed that in view of the implementation of the system of pre-paid meters in various states, it is not open to the distribution licensees in Telangana state and Andhra Pradesh to state that the pre-paid meters are not available.
The judge said, “If the licensee does not provide meters in spite of legislative intent, it is equally open to the petitioners to contend that so long as the pre-paid meters are installed, they need not deposit the amount.”
The judge ruled that it was not open to the authorities to deny installation of pre-paid meters by taking shelter under Amendment Regulation No.3 of 2013 which is contrary to legislative provision contained in sub-section (5) of Section 47 of the Act.
The judge said till the meters are installed, the petitioners shall pay half the additional consumption deposit amount demanded by the respondents which shall be refunded to the petitioners as soon as the pre-paid meters are installed.
