Chennai: The TNPDCL’s move to automate closure of long-term bill defaulters’ electricity connections has raised questions over its implementation. The utility, however, claims that the new system is aimed at speeding up the process and addressing staff shortages.Consumers who default on electricity bills for more than six months will no longer receive a physical termination of agreement (TA) notice. Instead, TNPDCL has introduced an automated SMS-based system for permanently closing disconnected low-tension (LT) electricity services.The new system, implemented in LT billing with effect from July 1, will cover services disconnected from Oct 2025 onwards. A consumer whose electricity supply has been disconnected for non-payment will receive a TA notice through an SMS 90 days after the date of disconnection. The message will contain a web link to the notice. If the consumer fails to clear the dues or restore the service within 90 days, TNPDCL will proceed with permanent closure of the electricity account.At present, domestic consumers get up to 20 days from the meter reading date to pay the bill. Failure to pay within the grace period results in disconnection. Previously, TA notices were served in person before an account could be closed. Officials said the notices could not be issued in many cases over the past few years due to staff shortage.A TNPDCL circular prescribed timelines for engineers and accounts officials to remove meters, send them for testing, and complete account closure within fixed deadlinesHowever, consumer activists and former electricity board officials have raised concerns over the implementation of the new system. T Sadagopan, a consumer activist from Pattabiram, said the circular directs officials to disconnect supply within seven days after the expiry of the payment period but does not clarify whether the disconnection should be physical or only in the billing records.“The personnel no longer physically disconnect defaulting services. If consumers continue to use electricity without realizing the service has been virtually disconnected, they could later be asked to pay energy theft charges, compounding fees, and a belated payment surcharge, in addition to disconnection and reconnection charges. Physical disconnection must be ensured,” he said.Neelakanta Pillai, a retired TNEB official, questioned why the circular did not cite the provisions of the TNERC’s Supply Code or the Distribution Standards of Performance under which the instructions were issued. He said while the account closure has been automated, consumers seeking security deposit refund would still have to submit bank details manually.TNPDCL officials, however, said the circular was issued based on the amended provisions of the Supply Code notified in 2022 and that field officers were familiar with the applicable regulations. They added that the refund procedure would also be digitised soon.
