Section Text
1)] Where any person neglects to pay any charge for energy or any85[sum, other than a charge for energy] due from him to a licensee in respect of the supply of energy to him, the licensee may, after giving not less than seven clear days' notice in writing to such person ana without prejudice to his right to recover such charge or other sum by suit, cut off the supply and for that purpose cut or disconnect any electric supply-line of other works, being the property of the licensee, through which energy may be supplied, and may discontinue the supply until such charge or other sum, together with any expenses incurred by him in cutting off and re-connecting the supply are paid, but no longer. 86[(2)]87[* * *] Where any difference or dispute88[which by or under this Act is required to be determined by an Electrical Inspector has been referred to the Inspector] before notice as aforesaid has been given by the licensee. the licensee shall not exercise the powers conferred by this section until the Inspector has given his decision:89[Provided that the prohibition contained in this sub-section not apply in any case which the licensee has made a request in writing to the consumer for a deposit with the90[Electrical Inspector}of the amount of the licensee's charges or other sums in dispute or for the deposit of the licensee's further charges for energy as they accrue, and the consumer has failed to comply with such request.] Tamil Nadu.- In Sec. 24 (1) of the Act of 1910, insert sub-section (1-A): "(1-A) Where an officer not lower in rank than a Divisional Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, on a personal inspection, is satisfied that any electric supply-line or other works which has been cut or disconnected under sub-section (1) by the licensee has been reconnected unauthorisedly by any consumer, then without prejudice to any other penalty that may be imposed under Sec. 44 or under any other provisions of this Act, such officer may. for reasons to be recorded in writing, ' order that energy shall not be supplied to such consumer for a period not exceeding one year as may be specified in the order: Provided that no order shall be made unless the consumer has been given an opportunity of making representation." (Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1980, Sec. 3).