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| Monday, 3 November 2003 |
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The Ceylon Electricity Board emphasizes that a re-connection charge of Rs. 800 will not be charged from the electricity consumers anymore unless the power supply was not disconnected due to failure to settle bills. Clarifying the news items carried in some media regarding the re-connection charge taken from consumers the Ceylon Electricity Board emphasized this. The Ceylon Electricity Board further revealed the followings. Various opinions were carried on some media in respect of the re-connection charge and the surcharge, recently. Charging a fine when only a disconnection notice is served without disconnecting the power supply and taking an interest for delayed electricity bills were significant among them. These news items point out that these unfair action taken recently has caused the consumers to many difficulties. However, the public should here be made aware that this re-connection charge and the surcharge for delayed bills effected at present were not introduced recently but had been functioning for a long time. When referring to the gazette notifications issued as per the Electricity Act from 90s to year 2002, it is clear that the system of recovering charges and the ratio of surcharge have made a great relief to the electricity consumers. This fact can be confirmed by referring to the charges and the billing system for supplying electricity to consumers, issued under section 52 (2) of the Ceylon Electricity Board Act No. 17 of 1969. Reference of gazette notifications from 1995 to 2003 will be sufficient for this. According to those gazette notifications when the settlement of an electricity bill is delayed by 30 days from the date issued a disconnection notice can be served. When such notice is served a sum of Rs. 275 in 1996 and Rs. 400 in 1997 and Rs. 500 in 2000 and Rs. 8000 in 2002 could be charged as to cover up its expenditure. A trend of increasing the charges could be observed during this period due to increased expenses it had to bear. In instances where the power supply is disconnected the amount charged for the disconnection charge was taken in each year as the re-connection charge. In this practice the consumer was subject to a dual charge. In addition, a customer who has not settled electricity bills within 30 days from the date of issue and when the disconnection notice is served the consumer was subjected to a 10% of surcharge against the arrears during the said years. Two important concessions have been made by amending the charges and billing system by the extra ordinary gazette notifications No. 1292/9 of 11.06.2003 and No. 1294/33 of 28.06.2003, as per the section 28 (1) of the Electricity Supply (Temporary Provisions) No. 2 of 2002 considering the requests of the bulk supplies and retail supplies consumers who underwent many hardships as well as the various Ministries, Fair Trading Commission and other Institutions. That is to take 2% of monthly surcharge for the arrears if the payment is delayed by 15 days and 30 days from the bulk supplies consumers and retail supplies consumers respectively. It is further specified therein that Rs. 800 is charged from both of these consumers if the bills are not settled within 30 days and the disconnection notice (Red Bill) is served and when the re-connection is made at the consumer's request. It should here be stressed that this re-connection charge will never be charged without a power disconnection, took place subsequent to a red bill. According to above facts it is clear that by the present charging system of the Ceylon Electricity Board the CEB has totally exempted the consumer from the fine of Rs. 800 and the 8% of surcharge as compared to that of in year 2002. |
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Produced by Lake House |
