PAKISTAN
WATER AND POWER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
OFFICE
OF THE
MEMBER
(POWR) WAPDA
WAPDA
HOUSE LAHORE
No.
1468-99 /M(P)/GMCS/DD(R&CP)/56217 DATED. 26.10.1999
ALL
CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF DISCOS.
SUBJECT:
POLICY AND PROCEDURES ON DETECTION BILLS
In suppression of policy on the subject circulated vide No.
2889-3282/MDD/GMCS/DG(R&CP)/56217 dated 18th October 1995 following
guidelines are laid down for compliance with immediate effect.
2. It has been noticed that at times detection bills are prepared
arbitrarily. Subsequently when these bills are challenged in a legal forum or
in a court of law then it becomes difficult
to defend the cases. This gives rise not only to unnecessary
litigation but also reflects adversely on the position of receivables. It has
therefore been decided to lay down the following policy and procedure for
detection bills and matters ancillary thereto to be followed
Strictly.
3. DETECTIONS
BILLING
i. DETECTION BILLING FOR THEFT OF ENERGY
a. While preparing detection bill the provisions of S-26-A S-39 S-39-A
and S- 48 of the Electricity Act, 1910 as amended shall be complied with
strictly.
b. Detection bill for dishonest abstraction or consumption of energy
will be assessed strictly in accordance with the provisions of section 26-A of
the electricity act 1910 detection bill will be prepared on prescribed Performa
attached as annex-A.
c. Before service of detection bill a notice prescribed at annex- B
will be served upon the person whoever is found indulged in theft of energy as
defined in section 39 & 39-A of the electricity act 1910.
ii. DETECTION BILLING FOR DIRECT HOOKING
Whoever is
found to have connected his installations appliances and apparatus with the works
of license for the purpose of supply of energy without its written consent
commits an offence to be prosecuted under section 39 & 39-A of the
Electricity Act 1910 which requires an FIR to be lodged with police further to
compensate the loss sustained on account of theft of electricity in pursuance
of provisions of section 48 ibid a detection / assessment bill is to be served
as per laid down procedure to such illegal and unregistered consumer. For assessment
of the amount of energy deemed to have been dishonestly abstracted consumed or
used for the period direct electrical connection from the aerial line / supply
line through artificial means the provisions of section 26-A will be followed
strictly. The owner or occupier of the premises which are found for the time
being connected illegally for the purpose of supply of energy with the works of
the license are liable for payment of detection / assessment bill prepared and
served to compensate the loss sustained on account of theft of electricity.
iii. DETECTION BILLING ON ACCOUNT OF SLOWNESS
a. In a vigilant system slowness of a meter on mechanical or technical
grounds should be detected within one reading cycle or two. Slowness should be
determined either with the help of a check meter or by getting the meter tested
with the appropriate testing equipment. Four Performa annexes C,D,E & F have
been prescribed to be used in series for ascertaining . Determining and
charging of slowness of meters when element of dishonest abstraction or
consumption of energy is not involved. Charging on account of slowness will
continue till the meter is replaced. Efforts should be made to replace the slow
meters without delay.
b. The period and amount of energy supplied to the consumer during
such time when meter was slow will be determined / assessed after considering
results of check meter / testing equipment consumption pattern sanctioned load
connected load or any other suitable criteria of the connection. c. In case
slowness is detected within one reading cycle or two it will be charged with the
approval of load sanctioning authority but CEO will be final authority in all
cases.
d. In case where slowness of meter was not detected within one reading
cycle or two the detection / assessment bill on account of slowness shall be
charged after obtaining approval of competent authority mentioned in para-4
below.
4. APPROVAL
OF DETECTION BILL
a. The competent authority to approve a detection bill will b the
authority next above of the load sanctioning authority.
b. In case where the load sanctioning authority is Chief Executive
Officer of the company or above the Chief Executive Officer will be the
competent authority to approve a detection bill.
c. Detection bills recommended by the Surveillance Teams / other
detecting agencies will be served only after the approval of the competent
authorities mentioned at (a) & (b) above.
5. ACCOUNTABILITY
Whenever a competent authority as defined in para-4 above receives a
detection / assessment bill for a period exceeding three months for approval
such authority will ask for
fixation of responsibility for negligence in this regard. However
approval will not be held for
fixation of responsibility.
6. SERVICE
OF DETECTION BILL
After approval of the detection bill by a competent authority as Para
4 details thereof will be
supplied to the Revenue officer concerned. He will serve the detection
/ assessment bill to the consumer along with details as well as reasons
thereof. The Revenue officer will feed the
amount of detection / assessment bill to computer through relevant
input form. The computer will issue separate detection / assessment bill
without including it in the current monthly bill. It will be included as
arrears in the next current monthly bill. No officer other than a Revenue
officer is authorized to issue detection bill and therefore manual preparation of
detection bill and therefore manual preparation of detection bill should be
avoided.
7. REVISION
OF DETECTION BILL
Since utmost care is to be exercised in the preparation of detection /
assessment bill in the first instance there should normally be no occasion to
revise it. However if at all necessity is felt to revise a detection bill on
the representation of the consumer then the revision of the detection bill will
be approved by a Review Committee as constituted below. However simultaneously
committee will recommend disciplinary action to be taken against those who
prepared wrong detection bills in first instance.
A. For
review of detection / assessment bills approved by XEN.
1.
Superintending Engineer concerned. Convener
2.
Circle Manager (M&T) Member
3. XEN
concerned Member
NOTE:
Superintending Engineer concerned and one member of the committee will
constitute
the
quorum
B. For
review of detection / assessment bills approved by S.E. or Chief Executive
Officer.
1. Chief
Executive of DISCO Convener
2.
Regional Manager (M&T) Member
3. S.E.
concerned Member
NOTE:
CEO and one member of the committee will constitute the quorum.
Meeting
of Review Committees will be held on fortnightly basis.
8. LITIGATION
/ DISPUTES ON DETECTION BILL
a.
Neither Electric ity Act 1910 nor the regulations of generation transmission
and
distribution
of electric power act (XL of 1997) empower electric inspectors of
Provincial
Governments to assume jurisdiction to entertain complaints and
determination
/ adjudication upon the detection / assessment bills served for theft or
energy
under section 26-A of the electricity act 1910.
b.
Amount of the detection bill will not be excluded from the current monthly
bills
except
where its recovery is suspended by a competent authority as defined under
clause-C
of section – XII of the WAPDA Book of Financial Powers or by a court /
forum of
competent jurisdiction.
9. RECOVERY
OF DETECTION BILL
In case
of default in payment of a detection bill the existing procedures laid down for
recovery
of arrears including disconnection on account of default in payment will be
followed.
10. The
above instructions may be followed in letter and spirit in the event of any
doubt
written
clarification may be sought from this office.
(ENGR.
S.T.H NAQVI)
MEMBER
(POWER)
Copy to
1. The
General Manager (Operation)/G.M (ACC) WAPDA
2. The
Director General (Commercial)/(E.M)WAPDA
3. The
Director General (WAPDA Audit) Govt. of Pakistan Lahore.
4. The
Chief Auditor WAPDA
5. The
Director (Public Relations) WAPDA
6. S.O to Chairman Wapda
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