First incandescent light bulb was invented in 1878 by Joseph Swan and Englishman. Unfortunately there are many Countries like South Sudan, Chad, Burundi, Malawi, Liberia and many more where more than 80% of population is surviving without the access of the Electricity on the other hand there are countries like Japan, Germany, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, Iran etc. listed as the high level of Electric energy consumption
In India on 29th July, 1897 first demonstration of Electricity was witnessed by the Calcutta (Earlier Known as Kolkata). Years later the successful demonstration was reported in India. That was the revolutionary moment for the History of India. By the end of 2015 our nation becomes the surplus nation with the tremendous power generating capacity for fulfilling the need of Electricity.
Earlier the Indian Electricity Act, 1998 was introduced to govern the Electricity supply in India. Further Electricity Act, 2003 was enacted to control the contain and reduce the theft of Electricity and other offences related to Electricity.
Salient features of Electricity Act, 2003.
- Provision for private transmission licenses.
- Provision for transfer scheme.
- There is a provision which includes Constitution of Central Electricity Authority.
- There is provision for Constitution of Central Commission as well as
the State Commission.
- Provision for Constitution of Central Advisory Committee as well as
the State Advisory Committee.
- There is provision for Establishment of Fund by the Central
Government and the State Government.
We, at ‘Ab Initio’, guide and advises you to choose the right path and comply with all the mandatory provisions stated in Electricity Act, 2003. We aim to simplify the processes and make them faster and efficient.
Important Functions of Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is limited to policy recommendations, monitoring electricity sector performance, advising the Ministry of power on technical issues, data management/dissemination of the power sector, etc. Suppliers of Electricity, Transmission licensees are not required to implement compulsory standards for construction of electric lines except the Grid Code/ Grid Standards for the operation and maintenance of transmission lines specified by Central Electricity Authority under clause 73 (d) of this Act. Sometimes when, these standards of the authority are conservative, compromising, optimum design features /cost/ utility and also do not give full clarity in selection of the system or any sub system of capabilities of electrical plants and electric line.
Criminal Provisions under Electricity Act, 2003
Section: 135
Offence: Electricity Theft
Punishment: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both.
Lode less than 10 KW First convictions – fine not less than three times the financial gains.
Second conviction –fine not less than six times the financial gains.
Lode more than 10KW First conviction – fine not less than three times the financial gains.
Second conviction- imprisonment for a term not less than six months but which may extend to five year and with fine not less than six times the financial gain.
Section: 136
Offence: Theft of Electricity Lines and materials
Punishment: First Conviction Second or subsequent conviction.
May extent to three years or with fine or with both Second or detention shall not be less than six months but which may extent up to five years and shall also be liable to pay fine which shall not be less than rupees Ten thousand.
Section: 137
Offence: Punishment for receiving stolen property
Punishment: Detention for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with
Section: 138
Offence: Meter Tempering or Interference with works of licensee
Punishment :First Conviction: Detention for a term which may extent to three years , or with fine which may extent to ten thousand rupees, or with both.
Continuing offence: Fine which upto Rupees five hundred (Per Day) .
Section: 139
Offence: Negligently wasting Electricity or injuring work.
Punishment: Fine which may extent to Rupees Ten thousand.
Section: 140
Offence: Penalty for maliciously wasting electricity for injuring works.
Punishment: Fine which may extent to Rupees Ten thousand.
Section: 141
Offence: Extinguishing public lamps.
Punishment: Fine which may extent to two thousand rupees.
Section: 142
Offence: Non-compliance of directions by Appropriate Commission.
Punishment: Penalty shall not exceed one lakh rupee for each contravention and in case of continuing failure with an additional penalty which may extent to six thousand rupee for every day during which the failure continues.
Section: 145
Offence: Non-compliance of orders and
Punishment: First offence: Three months or with fine this may extend to Rs. 1 lakh.
Continuing offence: Fine which may extend up to Rupees Five thousand every day.
Conclusion:
Section 25 of Electricity Act, 2003 states that the powers provided to the central government to demarcate the country into regions necessary for the efficient, economical and integrated channelizing and supply of electricity, and in particular to facilitate voluntary interconnections and co-ordination of facilities for the inter-State, regional and inter regional generation and transmission of electricity. Electricity is enumerated in the concurrent list (entry 38 of list III). Unempirical demarcation of the India into five sectors (north, south, east, west and north east regions) without giving any valid justification and applying one set of rules for intra sectors and distinguished set of rules for inter regions in sharing electricity transmission system and transmission losses, etc. is deliberated discriminating one state from another state. If public interest isn’t there, Constitution doesn’t recognize different set of rules applicable for a group of states except ratified by each of the concerned state under Article 252 of the constitution. Every area should be considered as one administrative entity for power transmission and its losses accounting and its commercial settlement as a part of national grid.
