Linking holding and assessment numbers with consumer numbers now mandatory

Device for detection of ghost power consumers in ULBs

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With a view to detecting ghost power consumers and refining the database of individuals residing in urban areas, the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has made the linking of holding numbers and assessment numbers mandatory for all residents of urban local bodies (ULBs) in the State. To this effect, the AERC has brought amendments to the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations, 2017. The amended Act is the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code) (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2023.

The amendment requires documents with an application form for power supply provisions under the relevant regulation. If the applicant is an individual residing within a ULB area of the state, the applicant shall have to furnish his or her holding number and assessment numbers along with the application. All the existing consumers living in the ULB areas of the State shall update their holding numbers and assessment numbers with the APDCL consumer Number.

However, consumers falling under categories such as government offices, religious places, streetlights, agriculture and irrigation categories, society connections of apartments, temporary connections, and any such category as deemed fit by the distribution licensee may be exempted from furnishing or linking holding numbers and assessment numbers.

Earlier, the State Government issued a directive on January 13, 2023, for linking the holding number and assessment number of GMC with the APDCL’s power consumer number to detect ghost consumers and refine the database of individuals residing in the GMC area.

The directive from the government led the AERC to decide to amend the AERC (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations, 2017. On April 19, 2023, the government issued another directive for linking holding numbers and assessment numbers residing in ULB areas of the state with APDCL’s consumer numbers to detect ghost consumers and refine the database of individuals residing in the ULB areas. Further, the letter stated that the provision would help in proper planning and load management, etc.

The AERC then drafted the Act and its regulations and sought responses from all stakeholders by May 25, 2023. As no comments came from stakeholders, the AERC called a public hearing on June 23. Among the groups that attended the hearing, the All Assam Electricity Consumers’ Association and Bidyut Grahak Mancha, Asom, opposed the draft amendment to the Act. The AERC amended the Act with the State Power Department stating the reasons for the linking of holding numbers and assessment numbers with the consumers’ numbers. On its part, the APDCL said that it had no objection to the proposed amendment.

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