Consumer Law: Supply of Electricity

 The definition of ‘service’ under the consumer laws also includes the supply of electric power. This means that a person who receives the service, by way of supply of electricity, which he has hired, is considered as a consumer, under section 2(1) (o) of the Consumer Protection Act. The supply of electrical energy on a continuous basis, over a period of time, in lieu of payment of money, is considered as service, under the provisions of the Act. The corporate organizations, such as the State Electricity Boards offer their services, to the consumers, under the stipulations of the Act.    

Consumer Law: Case Studies on Supply of Electricity as Service

In a landmark case of H.D. Shourie v. Municipal Corporation, (1987) Rajahan Law Reporter 243 (Delhi HC), the Delhi High Court after examining section 26(6), of the Electricity Act, 1910, observed that the maximum period for which a bill could be raised, with respect to a faulty meter, was six months.  

In Ramrabh Viyas v. Rajasthan State Electricity Board, (1995) I CPJ 136, the Rajasthan State Commission held that the supply of electricity cannot be disconnected or discontinued pertaining to a consumer, in case he fails to pay the charges of the electrical energy, without providing a notice of less than 7 complete days, as provided under the Indian Electricity Act, 1910.