The Electricity Act
An Act to consolidate the laws relating to generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity and generally for taking measures conducive to development of electricity industry, promoting competition therein, protecting interest of consumers and supply of electricity to all areas, rationalisation of electricity tariff, ensuring transparent policies regarding subsidies, promotion of efficient and environmentally benign policies, constitution of Central Electricity Authority, Regulatory Commissions and establishment of Appellate Tribunal and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.2003
List of Chapters & Sections
PRELIMINARY
NATIONAL ELECTRICITY POLICY AND PLAN
GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY
LICENSING
Inter-State transmission
Intra-State transmission
Other provisions relating to transmission
Provisions with respect to distribution licensees
Provisions with respect to electricity traders
Provisions with respect to supply generally
Consumer protection: Standards of performance
TARIFF
Works of licensees
Provisions relating to overhead lines
Constitution and functions of Authority
Certain powers and directions
Constitution, powers and functions of Central Commission
Constitution, powers and functions of State Commissions
Appropriate Commission–Other provisions
Proceedings and powers of Appropriate Commission
Grants, Fund and Accounts, Audit and Report
APPELLATE TRIBUNAL FOR ELECTRICITY
INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT
REORGANISATION OF BOARD
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
SPECIAL COURTS
Arbitration
Protective clauses
MISCELLANEOUS
PRELIMINARY
NATIONAL ELECTRICITY POLICY AND PLAN
GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY
LICENSING
12Authorised persons to transmit, supply, etc., electricity13Power to exempt14Grant of licence15Procedure for grant of licence16Conditions of licence17Licensee not to do certain things18Amendment of licence19Revocation of licence20Sale of utilities of licensees21Vesting of utility in purchaser22Provisions where no purchase takes place23Directions to licensees24Suspension of distribution licence and sale of utilityInter-State transmission
Intra-State transmission
Other provisions relating to transmission
34Grid Standards35Intervening transmission facilities36Charges for intervening transmission facilities37Directions by Appropriate Government38Central Transmission Utility and functions39State Transmission Utility and functions40Duties of transmission licensees41Other business of transmission licenseeProvisions with respect to distribution licensees
42Duties of distribution licensee and open access43Duty to supply on request44Exceptions from duty to supply electricity45Power to recover charges46Power to recover expenditure47Power to require security48Additional terms of supply49Agreements with respect to supply or purchase of electricity50The Electricity supply code51Other businesses of distribution licenseesProvisions with respect to electricity traders
Provisions with respect to supply generally
Consumer protection: Standards of performance
TARIFF
Works of licensees
Provisions relating to overhead lines
Constitution and functions of Authority
Certain powers and directions
Constitution, powers and functions of Central Commission
Constitution, powers and functions of State Commissions
82Constitution of State Commission83Joint Commission84Qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members of State Commission85Constitution of Selection Committee to select Members of State Commission86Functions of State Commission87State Advisory Committee88Objects of State Advisory CommitteeAppropriate Commission–Other provisions
Proceedings and powers of Appropriate Commission
Grants, Fund and Accounts, Audit and Report
98Grants and loans by Central Government99Establishment of Fund by Central Government100Accounts and audit of Central Commission101Annual report of Central Commission102Grants and Loans by State Government103Establishment of Fund by State Government104Accounts and audit of State Commission105Annual report of State Commission106Budget of Appropriate Commission107Directions by Central Government108Directions by State Government109Directions to Joint CommissionAPPELLATE TRIBUNAL FOR ELECTRICITY
110Establishment of Appellate Tribunal111Appeal to Appellate Tribunal112Composition of Appellate Tribunal113Qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Member of Appellate Tribunal114Term of office115Terms and conditions of service116Vacancies117Resignation and removal117AQualifications, terms and conditions of service of Chairperson and Member118Member to act as Chairperson in certain circumstances119Officers and other employees of Appellate Tribunal120Procedure and powers of Appellate Tribunal121Power of Appellate Tribunal122Distribution of business amongst Benches and transfer of cases from one Bench to another Bench123Decision to be by majority124Right of appellant to take assistance of legal practitioner and of Appropriate Commission to appoint presenting officers125Appeal to Supreme CourtINVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT
REORGANISATION OF BOARD
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
135Theft of Electricity136Theft of electric lines and materials137Punishment for receiving stolen property138Interference with meters or works of licensee139Negligently breaking or damaging works140Penalty for intentionally injuring works141Extinguishing public lamps142Punishment for non-compliance of directions by Appropriate Commission143Power to adjudicate144Factors to be taken into account by adjudicating officer145Civil courts not to have jurisdiction146Punishment for non-compliance of orders or directions147Penalties not to affect other liabilities148Penalty where works belong to Government149Offences by companies150Abetment151Cognizance of offences151APower of police to investigate151BCertain offences to be cognizable and non-bailable152Compounding of offencesSPECIAL COURTS
Arbitration
Protective clauses
159Protection of railways, highways, airports and canals, docks, wharfs and piers160Protection of telegraphic, telephonic and electric signalling lines161Notice of accidents and injuries162Appointment of Chief Electrical Inspector and Electrical Inspector163Power for licensee to enter premises and to remove fittings or other apparatus of licensee164Exercise of powers of Telegraph Authority in certain cases165Amendment of sections 40 and 41 of Act 1 of 1894MISCELLANEOUS
166Coordination forum167Exemption of electric lines or electrical plants from attachment in certain cases168Protection of action taken in good faith169Members, officers, etc., of Appellate Tribunal, Appropriate Commission to be public servants170Recovery of penalty payable under this Act171Services of notices, orders or documents172Transitional provisions173Inconsistency in laws174Act to have overriding effect175Provisions of this Act to be in addition to and not in derogation of other laws176Power of Central Government to make rules177Powers of Authority to make regulations178Powers of Central Commission to make regulations179Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament180Powers of State Governments to make rules181Powers of State Commissions to make regulations182Rules and regulations to be laid before State Legislature183Power to remove difficulties184Provisions of Act not apply in certain cases185Repeal and saving