Section 26: Meters.–(1) In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, the amount of energy supplied

26. Meters.–(1) In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, the amount of energy supplied to a consumer or the electrical quantity contained in the supply shall be ascertained by means of a correct meter, 1[, maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus] and the licensee shall, if required by the consumer, cause the consumer to be supplied with such a meter 1[maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus]: Provided that the licensee may require the consumer to give him security for the price of a meter 1[, maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus] and enter into an agreement for the hire thereof, unless the consumer elects to purchase a meter 1[, maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus]. (2) Where the consumer so enters into an agreement for the hire of a meter 1[maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus] the licensee shall keep the meter 1[maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus] correct, and, in default of his doing so, the consumer shall, for so long as the default continues, cease to be liable to pay for the hire of the meter 1[maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus]. (3) Where the meter 1[maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus] is the property of the consumer, he shall keep the meter 1[maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus] correct, and, in default of his doing so, the licensee may, after giving him seven days’ notice, for so long as the default continues, cease to supply energy through the mete r l[maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus]. (4) The licensee or any person dilly authorized by the licensee shall, at any reasonable time and on informing the consumer of his intention, have access to, and be at liberty to inspect and test, and for that purpose, if he thinks fit, take off and remove, any meter referred to in sub-section (1) ; and, except where the meter 1[, maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus] is so hired as aforesaid, all reasonable expenses of, and incidental to, such inspecting, testing, taking off and removing shall, if the meter 1[, maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus] is found to be otherwise than correct, be recovered from the consumer; and, where any difference or dispute arises as to the amount of such reasonable expenses, the matter shal l be referred to an Electric Inspector, and the decision of such Inspector shall be final: Provided that the licensee shall not be at liberty to take off or remove any such meter 1[maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus]if any difference or dispute of the nature described in sub-section (6) has arisen until the matter has been determined as therein provided. (5) A consumer shall not connect any meter 1[maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus] referred to in sub-section (1) with any electric supply-line through which energy is supplied by a licensee, or disconnect the same from any such electric supply -line, without 2[obtaining the consent of the licensee in writing which shall not be un-reasonably withheld by the licensee]. 3[(5A) A consumer shall not injure any meter, maximum demand indicator or other measuring apparatus, or alter their indexes or prevent them from duly registering the amount of energy supplied or the electrical quantity contained in the supply.] 1Ins. by the Electricity (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1979 (LXII of 1979), s. 6. 25 2Subs. ibid., for “giving to the licensee not less than forty-eight hours notice in writing of his intention.” 3New sub-section (5A) ins. ibid., 1[(6) Where any difference or dispute arises between a licensee and a consumer as to whether any meter, maximum demand indicator or other measuring apparatus is or is not correct the matter shall be decided, upon the application of either party, by an Elect ric Inspector, within a period of ninety days from the date of receipt of such application, after affording the parties an opportunity of being heard, and where the meter, maximum demand indicator or other measuring apparatus has, in the opinion of the Electric Inspector, ceased to be correct, the Electric Inspector shall estimate the amount of energy supplied to the consumer or the electrical quantity contained in the supply, during such time as the meter, indicator or apparatus has not, in the opinion of the Electric Inspector, been correct; and, where the Electric Inspector, fails to decide the matter of difference or dispute within the said period or where either the licensee or the consumer decline to accept the decision of the Electric Inspector, the matter shall be referred to the Provincial Government whose decision shall be final: Provided that, before either a licensee or a consumer applies to the Electric Inspector under this sub-section, he shall give to the other party not less than seven days’ notice of his intention so to do.] (7) In addition to any meter 2[maximum demand indicator and other measuring apparatus] which may be placed upon the premises of a consumer in pursuance of the provisions of sub -section (1), the licensee may place upon such 2[other] premises such meter, maximum demand indicator or other apparatus as he may think fit for the purpose of ascertaining or regulating either the amount of energy supplied to the consumer, or the number of hours during which the supply is given, or the rate per unit of time at which energy is supplied to the consumer, or any other quantity or time connected with the supply: Provided that the meter, indicator or apparatus shall not, in the absence of an agreement to the contrary, be placed otherwise than between the distributing mains of the licensee and any meter referred to in sub-section (1): Provided, also, that, where the charges for the supply of energy depend wholly or partly upon the reading or indication of any such meter, indicator or apparatus as aforesaid, the licensee shall, in the absence of an agreement to the contrary, keep the meter, indicator or apparatus correct; and the provisions of subsections (4), (5) 2[, 5A] and (6) shall in that case apply as though the meter, indicator or apparatus were a meter referred to in sub -section (1). Explanation.-A meter shall be deemed to be “correct” if it registers the amount of energy supplied, or the electrical quantity contained in the supply, within the prescribed limits of error, and a maximum demand indicator or other apparatus 3[* * *] shall be deemed to be “correct” if it complies with such conditions as may be prescribed in the case of any such indicator or other apparatus.

Effective date: 1910-01-01

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