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21. Duties and responsibilities
of distribution licensees.-
(1) The Authority may, after
Such enquiry as it may deem appropriate and subject to the conditions specified in this
Act and as it may impose, grant a licence for the distribution of electric power.
(2) The licensee shall
(a) possess the exclusive right to
provide for such period as may be specified in the licence, distribution service and to
make sales of electric power to consumers in the territory specified in the I licence and
to frame schemes in respect of that territory:
Provided that a generation company may make sales of
electric power to bulk-power consumers within Such territory as the Authority may, Subject
to section 22, for a period of fifteen years, allow ;
(b) be responsible to provide
distribution service and make sales of electric power within its territory on a
non-discriminatory basis to all the consumers who meet the eligibility criteria laid down
by the Authority:
Provided that --
(i) the licensee may not be
required to make sale of electric power to a bulk power consumer who has contracted for
electric power supply from another supplier; and
(ii) the licensee may disconnect
the provision of electric power to a consumer for default in payment of power charges or
to a consumer who is involved in the theft of electric power-,
(c) publicly make available tariff'
specifying the Authority's approved rates, charges and other terms and conditions for
distribution services and power sales to consumers;
(d) establish, within three months
of the issue of its licence for distribution of elcectric power and make available to the
public, instructions Specifying
(i) procedures for obtaining
service; and
(ii) the manner and procedure for
metering, billing and collection of the licensee's approved charges and disconnection in
case of non-payment of charges, electric power theft and use of energy for purposes other
than for which it was Supplied and procedures for re-connection and recovery of arrears
and other charges,
(e) make its transmission
facilities available for operation by the national grid company consistent with applicable
instructions established by such company;
(f) follow the performance
standards laid down by the Authority for distribution and transmission of electric power,
including safety, health and environmental protection instructions issued by the Authority
or any Governmental agency;
(g) maintain accounts in accordance
with the manner and procedure laid down by the Authority-, and
(h) develop, maintain and publicly
make available, with the prior approval of the Authority, an investment programme for
satisfying its service obligations and acquiring and selling its assets.
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