Background:
Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code and Related Matters) Regulations, 2015 (“GERC Supply Code, 2015”) have been issued under the Electricity Act, 2003 to regulate the relationship between Distribution Licensees and consumers in Gujarat. The Code governs the complete lifecycle of electricity supply, including application for connection, supply standards, metering, billing, payment, disconnection and related consumer services. It operates alongside the GERC Standard of Performance, Security Deposit and Miscellaneous Charges Regulations forming the broader consumer service framework in the State.
Applicability
This Code shall be applicable to:
(1) all Distribution licensees including Deemed licensees, all consumers in the state of Gujarat and for the purpose of Clause 4.32 of these Regulations to the Transmission Licensees;
(2) all other persons who are exempted under Section 13 of the Act; and
(3) unauthorised supply, unauthorised use, diversion and other means of unauthorized use/abstraction/theft of electricity.
Compliance Requirements under the Regulations:
The licensee shall ensure electricity supply is within the prescribed frequency band and voltage limits at the point of supply, unless otherwise approved by the consumer or the Commission. Supply voltage classification is as follows: installations up to 6 kW connected load (with motive power load not exceeding 2 HP) shall receive 230V single-phase supply; installations exceeding 6 kW up to 100 kVA/kW contracted demand (extendable to 150 kVA/kW at consumer’s option) shall receive 400V three-phase supply; installations exceeding 100/150 kVA/kW up to 4,000 kVA/kW shall receive 11 kV or 22 kV three-phase supply; and installations exceeding 4,000 kVA/kW shall receive supply at 33 kV and above. The licensee may provide supply at a different voltage or phase based on technical conditions of the distribution system, subject to Commission approval.
All three-phase consumers must maintain an average power factor of not less than 90% at all times. Any applicant requiring motive power load of 2 kW or more must install adequate shunt capacitor equipment before the licensee commences power supply. Absence of the required capacitor may lead to disconnection. For existing installations where average power factor is found below 90%, the Distribution Licensee may refuse or disconnect supply after giving 10 days’ notice to rectify the capacitor, subject to applicable Acts, rules, and regulations.
A consumer requiring motive power shall procure an IS-standard shunt capacitor of adequate rating at their own cost and install it only after testing by the Distribution Licensee, or request the licensee to install it at applicable charges. Capacitors shall be maintained and replaced by the consumer if damaged or missing. If the consumer fails to provide the required capacitor, this shall not relieve the consumer of liability to pay minimum charges where the licensee is ready to supply and has served notice accordingly. These provisions also apply where additional power supply is requisitioned and the total motive load becomes 2 kW or more.
Before installing any generating set connected to the Distribution System, the consumer shall submit all necessary technical and operational details to the Distribution Licensee. The consumer shall also obtain approval from the Chief Electrical Inspector and other concerned agencies in accordance with the CEA (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010 as amended, and Government of Gujarat Notification No. GU/85/CEI/11-2012/4140/K dated 10/07/2012, before energisation of such generating sets.
On demolishing entire premises: surrender installation, arrange meter/service line removal, terminate Agreement and clear all dues. Apply fresh connection for reconstructed building. Do not use existing connection for construction. New connection only after clearing all old dues.
For applications received in hard copy, the licensee shall generate an acknowledgement with a unique registration number and intimate the applicant immediately. The applicant shall apply for release of new connection as: Application form for release of new connection (Low Tension) — Annexure I and Application form for release of new connection (High Tension/ Extra High Tension)– Annexure II Application forms must be accompanied by the applicant’s photograph, identity proof, proof of ownership or legal occupancy, proof of current address, and any other specific documents as detailed in Clauses 4.15 to 4.20.
In case of online application through the licensee’s web portal or mobile application, the licensee shall generate an acknowledgement with a unique registration number and intimate the applicant immediately. The applicant shall apply for release of new connection as: Application form for release of new connection (Low Tension) — Annexure I and Application form for release of new connection (High Tension/ Extra High Tension)– Annexure II .Application forms must be accompanied by the required documents as specified in Clauses 4.15 to 4.20.
The licensee shall provide electricity supply to the owner or occupier of premises within the time prescribed under the GERC (Standard of Performance of Distribution Licensee) Regulations, 2005 as amended, subject to: (1) the supply being technically feasible; (2) the applicant observing the procedure specified in this Code; and (3) the applicant agreeing to bear the cost of supply and services as per the GERC (Licensee’s Power to Recover Expenditure incurred in Providing Electric Supply and Other Miscellaneous Charges) Regulations, 2005 as amended.
The licensee shall display on its website and offices the updated status of applications, procedures, required documents, security deposit, and service line charges for consumer services in Gujarati and English. Normally, no additional documents beyond the listed requirements shall be demanded. The licensee shall provide an application tracking mechanism based on the unique registration number through web-based application, mobile app, SMS, or other electronic modes. Connections to unauthorised colonies or areas shall not be granted where a restraining or prohibition order has been issued by the government or competent authority.
On receipt of a request from a prospective purchaser of an existing property, the licensee shall acknowledge receipt and either intimate in writing the outstanding dues on the premises or issue a ‘no-dues certificate’ within 1 month from the date of receipt. If the licensee fails to do so within this period, new connection to the premises shall not be denied on grounds of outstanding dues of the previous consumer. The licensee shall then have to recover dues from the previous consumer as per provisions of law.
Application forms shall be provided free at licensee offices and on the website for download and online submission. Legible photocopies shall be accepted. The licensee shall display office contact details and website information and provide assistance for filling application forms. Facilities shall be provided for online and mobile application submissions. A centralised 24×7 toll-free call centre shall be established within six months of the amendment notification, and doorstep services shall be provided for senior citizens.
An occupier applicant (non-owner) must furnish a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owner of the premises along with ownership or occupancy proof. Where an NOC from the owner is not available for any reason, a new connection may be allowed on the basis of submission of an indemnity bond prescribed by the Distribution Licensee, indemnifying it against losses arising from disputes relating to the service connection.
The licensee shall maintain updated application registers or databases with serial numbers and stage-wise status. Separate records may be maintained for different consumer categories. Area-wise waiting lists and the status of new connections shall be updated daily on the website or the office notice board. No application shall be entertained unless all dues of the applicant relating to any premises or any service connection held by the applicant in the jurisdiction of the Distribution Licensee have been cleared.
The licensee shall schedule inspection of the applicant’s premises under written acknowledgment within 7 working days in Class-I cities and urban areas and within 10 working days in rural areas. Inspection on holidays or non-working days may be arranged on payment of ₹500. The Distribution Licensee shall obtain necessary way leaves and permissions for laying service lines. Where the consumer has no frontage abutting a public street, the consumer shall obtain the necessary way leave and permission at their own expense.
The Distribution Licensee shall not provide more than one connection for one premises or for adjoining or contiguous premises belonging to the same owner if these are not separated by a public road or private premises.
Consumers opting for a second connection shall be required to produce separate legal entity documents such as a separate Income Tax Number, Sales Tax Number, ration card, and rent or lease agreement.
After the applicant complies with Clause 4.29 for LT supply applications, the licensee shall sanction the applied load and issue a written demand note under acknowledgment within the timeline prescribed under the GERC (Standard of Performance of Distribution Licensee) Regulations, 2005. For HT/EHT applications, the licensee shall forward the application to the Transmission Licensee within 12 working days; the Transmission Licensee shall communicate feasibility within 25 working days, and the Distribution Licensee shall inform the applicant within 3 days thereafter.
The applicant shall pay demand note charges within 30 days of issue by the Distribution Licensee. Non-payment within 30 days shall result in lapse of the application form. The applicant may apply in writing for extension before the expiry of the 30-day period.
Any excess amount paid by the applicant shall be refunded within 30 days of energisation by cheque or electronic mode. Failure to refund within this period shall attract interest at the delayed payment surcharge rate. Detailed expenditure statements shall be provided to the applicant. No adjustment is required where estimates are based on per kW load.
An applicant who opted for self-extension must sign and submit the completion and test report (certified by a competency certificate holder) to the Distribution Licensee along with the prescribed test report charges before the licensee schedules testing. If the electric installation exceeds 2,440 Volts, inspection by the Electrical Inspector and written approval must be obtained before commencement of supply.
The applicant or authorised representative and the Licensed Electrical Contractor shall remain present during testing. If the installation is satisfactory, the licensee shall install and seal the meter and accessories in the consumer’s presence and provide supply within 2 working days of testing. If the licensee is not satisfied, the applicant shall be intimated on the spot in writing under acknowledgment of the faults or shortcomings.
The applicant must avail power supply within 60 days of the Distribution Licensee’s intimation that the connection is ready. Failure to avail supply within 60 days makes the applicant liable for demand charges and minimum monthly charges. The applicant may apply for extension in special circumstances.
Applications for temporary connection shall be made in Form Annexure I or II with applicable documents and NOC from the local authority if supply is required at a local authority-owned place. For temporary supply at premises where 100 or more persons are likely to assemble, the applicant shall comply with Section 54 of the Act and all related safety requirements before energisation. The applicant may request amendment of the date for availing temporary supply to a date not later than 90 days from the original sanction date.
The consumer must obtain the Distribution Licensee’s prior written consent before transferring or assigning the connection or agreement. For name change on ownership or occupancy transfer, an application in Form Annexure I or II must be submitted with the latest paid bill, identity proof, and NOC from the existing consumer. All dues must be cleared before the transfer is processed.
The consumer shall not, without the prior written consent of the Distribution Licensee, assign, transfer, or part with the benefit of the agreement executed with the Distribution Licensee, nor shall the consumer part with or create any partial or separate interest thereunder in any manner. A connection may be transferred in the name of another person upon death of the consumer or upon transfer of ownership or occupancy of the premises, subject to filing the prescribed application form.
Applications for change of name shall be submitted in Form Annexure I or II with the latest paid bill, Registered Will or deed, Succession or Legal Heir Certificate, mutation records, death certificate of the original consumer, and NOC from other legal heirs where one heir takes the connection. Any shortfall in security deposit shall also be paid.
Applications for conversion of an existing connection type (LT to HT, single phase to three-phase, etc.) shall be submitted in the prescribed Form Annexure I or II. The applicant shall pay demand note charges and follow the site inspection and testing procedures. Conversion shall be effected after payment of all requisite charges within the time limits specified in the Standard of Performance Regulations.
Applications for shifting of service connection or meter in existing premises shall be submitted in the prescribed Form Annexure I or II. The applicant shall pay demand note charges and follow site inspection and testing procedures as laid down in Clauses 4.26 to 4.37 of the Code.
Applicants seeking load enhancement shall apply in the prescribed format under Annexure I or II. The licensee shall process the application as per Clauses 4.64 to 4.66, and both parties shall follow the procedures and timelines under Clauses 4.26 to 4.37 for inspection and demand note issuance and payment.
Applicants seeking load reduction shall apply in the prescribed format under Annexure I or II. The licensee shall process the application as per Clauses 4.64 to 4.66, and both parties shall follow the procedures and timelines under Clauses 4.26 to 4.37 for inspection and demand note issuance and payment.
For LT consumers, the Distribution Licensee shall issue a demand note within 10 days of receiving the load reduction application. If no decision is communicated within the prescribed period and a further 15 days following the consumer’s written notice, permission for reduction of contract demand shall be deemed to have been granted.
For HT consumers, the Distribution Licensee shall issue a demand note within 15 days of receiving the load reduction application. If no decision is communicated within the prescribed period and a further 15 days following the consumer’s written notice, permission for reduction of contract demand shall be deemed to have been granted.
For EHT consumers, the Distribution Licensee shall issue a demand note within 30 days of receiving the load reduction application. If no decision is communicated within the prescribed period and a further 15 days following the consumer’s written notice, permission for reduction of contract demand shall be deemed to have been granted.
If the licensee has sanctioned load reduction through a speaking order, the same shall be effective from the date of inspection and a written acknowledgment shall be sent to the consumer.
On receipt of the Distribution Licensee’s contracted load review notice: HT/EHT/Demand-Based LT consumers shall respond within 30 days with a load enhancement application; Non-Demand-Based LT consumers shall respond within 60 days. If there is no response by the end of the notice period, the licensee shall initiate the procedure for enhancing the consumer’s contract demand and the consumer shall be liable for all applicable regularisation charges.
The licensee and applicant shall follow Clauses 4.21 to 4.32 for application acceptance and site inspection, Clause 4.82 for demand note timelines, Clauses 4.33 to 4.37 for demand note details and payment, and Clause 4.85 for release of enhanced supply.
An agreement in the Distribution Licensee’s prescribed format shall be executed before commencement of supply, covering the consumer’s name and address, premises address, sanctioned load or contract demand, purpose of use, tariff payment commitment, and security deposit provisions. The agreement shall have a minimum validity of 2 years. The consumer shall not refuse to tender an agreement if required by the licensee within 30 days of supply commencement. The licensee may disconnect supply upon failure to execute the agreement but shall restore it immediately upon execution.
A consumer terminating the agreement within 2 years of new or additional supply commencement must pay minimum charges for each month short of the 2-year period. A load reduction of up to 10% of the sanctioned load shall be allowed after 1 year without recovering minimum charges for the reduced load for the remaining period.
The demand note shall be prepared as per the provisions of this Code and the GERC (Licensee’s Power to Recover Expenditure incurred in Providing Electricity and Other Miscellaneous Charges) Regulations, 2005 as amended. A demand note, once made, shall be valid for one month. Disputes regarding the demand note may be referred to the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) for adjudication. The licensee shall also create a facility for e-payment of the demand note.
Unless otherwise agreed, the point of supply shall be the incoming terminal of the consumer’s cut-out, MCB, or ELCB for LT consumers; the distribution box at the transformer centre or substation on consumer premises where the meter is installed; and the control switchgear for HT and EHT consumers. At the point of commencement of supply, the consumer shall provide a main switch or circuit breaker. HT and EHT consumers shall also provide suitable protective devices as per CEA Safety Regulations.
If the licensee’s service fuse fails, the consumer shall inform the local office, call centre, or nearest sub-station. Only authorised licensee representatives may replace such fuses. Consumers shall not break seals or replace fuses, failing which penalty may apply. Licensee staff shall not repair consumer installations.
The consumer shall not supply any energy received from the licensee to other premises unless they hold a suitable sanction or licence for distribution and sale of energy granted by the Commission or State Government, are exempted from obtaining such a licence, or have been appointed as a franchisee.
The consumer shall furnish, as far as possible and practicable, full particulars of all electrical plant and consuming apparatus to be installed, to the Distribution Licensee. The design and operation of all plant and apparatus shall not interfere with the safety or efficient working of the licensee’s electric supply lines or other works, or the supply of energy to any other consumer.
LT consumers shall install safety equipment within 1 foot of the Distribution Licensee’s meter board per CEA Safety Regulations. HT/EHT consumers shall install protective devices as per CEA Safety Regulations 2010. All consumers shall connect an earth leakage protective device as per CEA Clause 42. Luminous sign and X-ray installations shall provide ELCB per applicable CEA Clauses. Where such devices are removed by the consumer, the Distribution Licensee may disconnect supply after giving 7 days’ notice.
Motors shall be equipped with no-volt and overload release control gear to limit starting current within prescribed standards. The permissible limits are: up to 1 HP — 6 times full load current; above 1 HP up to 10 HP — 3 times full load current; above 10 HP up to 15 HP — 2 times full load current; above 15 HP — 1.5 times full load current. Failure to comply may render the consumer liable to disconnection if the starting current adversely affects supply to other consumers.
Each three-phase motor circuit shall have an iron-clad triple pole linked switch. Motor wiring shall run in a single earthed metallic or rigid PVC conduit connected to the motor frame with two separate earth wires. Minimum earth wire size shall be 3.0 sq.mm (14 SWG). All consumers using electricity for motive power shall maintain balanced loading on all three phases.
The consumer shall provide adequate space free of charge at a convenient location within the premises for the Distribution Licensee’s service line, transformers, switchgear, meter, and apparatus up to the supply commencement point. The consumer shall permit the licensee continued access to the service line and apparatus even if the consumer’s own supply is disconnected, until alternate arrangements are made.
Penalty & Punishments
Section 142, Electricity Act, 2003 — fine up to Rs.1 lakh; GERC Standard of Performance Regulations penalties for voltage/frequency violations
Section 146 of Electricity Act , 2003 –
Whoever fails to comply with any order or direction under this Act, or contravenes (or attempts/abets the contravention of) its provisions, rules, or regulations, faces punishment for each offense, which may include imprisonment for up to three months, a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both. Additionally, for a failure that continues after an initial conviction, an extra fine of up to five thousand rupees will be levied for every day the non-compliance persists.
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