Chennai: The High Court order which has come in favour of the HT(High Tension) consumers has given a big relief and industrialists across the region have welcomed it.
Chennai: The High Court order which has come in favour of the HT(High Tension) consumers has given a big relief and industrialists across the region have welcomed it.
Usually for all HT (High Tension) consumers, if power is not consumed, maximum demand (MD) charges will be levied. This year during the lockdown period, TNEB levied MD charges to the HT consumers whereas in the TNEB supply code it is clearly given under rule 6 (b) that in case of any pandemic outbreak, cyclone or strike by labourers due to which the industries does not function, consumers can avail waiver for Maximum demand charges.
Initially when the consumer associations approached TNEB it gave reply that rule 6(b) will not be applicable and the consumers should only contact government. Upset by this reply, consumer and industry associations took this issue to Tamil nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission(TNERC). The judge agreed and issued order to give waiver based on the Labour ministry letter submitted by the consumers.
The TNEB did not relent and appealed to the appellate tribunal in Delhi saying due to lack of funds it cannot give waiver. Meanwhile TNEB started sending penalty bills to the HT consumers saying power factor control not done and failing which will result in disconnection of services.
Shocked by this, many associations filed case in the high court. Hearing the case, the judge passed the order on Friday retaining the rights of the consumers.
In the order 1. All CC Bills from 25.03.2020 till the lock down is lifted fully and officially, have to be charged only as per Regulation 6(b) either at 20% of sanctioned demand or to the extent of actual recorded demand whichever is higher and not at 90%.
2. All excess collections so far made either have to be refunded or to be adjusted in all cases if bills are paid already.
This order is considered to be a big win for the HT consumers and many associations have welcomed it. Tamil nadu Electricity Consumers Association (TECA) N.Pradeep said, "In the TNEB supply code itself it is clearly given under rule 6(b) under various circumstances consumers can avail waiver for Maximum demand charges which includes pandemic outbreak due to which the industries does not function.
But unfortunately it was not applied and appealed by the TNEB. We wholeheartedly welcome the judgement to uphold the judgement. This has given a big relief to all HT consumers."
The South India Spinners Association (SISPA) president N.Murugesan said, "On behalf of Members of The South India Spinners Association, we had filed a writ petition to withdraw the maximum Demand Charges of 90% for the months of April and May 2020 and assess the same at 20% or to the extent of Recorded demand.
We prayed with the Hon’ble High Court to refund the amount collected or to adjust the same in future bill till 17th May 2020 or till the extended period of Lock Down, if any, by the Government of Tamil Nadu and not to levy Power Factor penalty during the lock down period. We at 'SISPA' heartfully and gratefully thank the Hon’ble High Court of Madras for rendering justice to our members. At this juncture we express our special heartful thanks to our council M. Kamalnathan for safeguarding our members."
Usually for all HT (High Tension) consumers, if power is not consumed, maximum demand (MD) charges will be levied. This year during the lockdown period, TNEB levied MD charges to the HT consumers whereas in the TNEB supply code it is clearly given under rule 6 (b) that in case of any pandemic outbreak, cyclone or strike by labourers due to which the industries does not function, consumers can avail waiver for Maximum demand charges.
Initially when the consumer associations approached TNEB it gave reply that rule 6(b) will not be applicable and the consumers should only contact government. Upset by this reply, consumer and industry associations took this issue to Tamil nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission(TNERC). The judge agreed and issued order to give waiver based on the Labour ministry letter submitted by the consumers.
The TNEB did not relent and appealed to the appellate tribunal in Delhi saying due to lack of funds it cannot give waiver. Meanwhile TNEB started sending penalty bills to the HT consumers saying power factor control not done and failing which will result in disconnection of services.
Shocked by this, many associations filed case in the high court. Hearing the case, the judge passed the order on Friday retaining the rights of the consumers.
In the order 1. All CC Bills from 25.03.2020 till the lock down is lifted fully and officially, have to be charged only as per Regulation 6(b) either at 20% of sanctioned demand or to the extent of actual recorded demand whichever is higher and not at 90%.
2. All excess collections so far made either have to be refunded or to be adjusted in all cases if bills are paid already.
This order is considered to be a big win for the HT consumers and many associations have welcomed it. Tamil nadu Electricity Consumers Association (TECA) N.Pradeep said, "In the TNEB supply code itself it is clearly given under rule 6(b) under various circumstances consumers can avail waiver for Maximum demand charges which includes pandemic outbreak due to which the industries does not function.
But unfortunately it was not applied and appealed by the TNEB. We wholeheartedly welcome the judgement to uphold the judgement. This has given a big relief to all HT consumers."
The South India Spinners Association (SISPA) president N.Murugesan said, "On behalf of Members of The South India Spinners Association, we had filed a writ petition to withdraw the maximum Demand Charges of 90% for the months of April and May 2020 and assess the same at 20% or to the extent of Recorded demand.
We prayed with the Hon’ble High Court to refund the amount collected or to adjust the same in future bill till 17th May 2020 or till the extended period of Lock Down, if any, by the Government of Tamil Nadu and not to levy Power Factor penalty during the lock down period. We at 'SISPA' heartfully and gratefully thank the Hon’ble High Court of Madras for rendering justice to our members. At this juncture we express our special heartful thanks to our council M. Kamalnathan for safeguarding our members."