Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
Long term Planning for sustainability of State Distribution Licensee.- The State Government shall take, appropriate measures, to provide for the following matters, namely:- (a) that the State Distribution Licensee estimates the demand, Aggregate Technical and Commercial loss and availability of electricity on long term basis and contracts with the approval of the State Commission, through long or medium or short THE HIMACHAL PRADESH ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT 5 RESPONSIBILITY ACT, 2014 term agreements for purchase of power to meet the demand; (b) that the State Distribution Licensee prepares, with the approval of the State Commission, a time bound road map for Aggregate Technical and Commercial loss reduction: Provided that the road map shall be prepared within six months from the date of coming into force of this Act; (c) that the State Distribution Licensee undertakes energy accounting and auditing of all 33 kV feeders, 11 kV feeders and Distribution Transformers alongwith consumer indexing and time bound metering of each category of consumers and in doing so the Distribution Licensee should consider latest developments in metering technologies: Provided that the road map in relation to energy accounting and auditing and time bound metering of all consumers shall be prepared within six months from the date of coming into force of this Act and approval for the same shall be sought from the State Commission: Provided further that the consumer indexing shall be completed within two years from the date of coming into force of this Act: Provided further that the State Distribution Licensee shall submit to the Authority and the State Commission half yearly progress reports with respect to energy accounting, auditing, metering and feeders and Distribution Transformers wise consumer indexing; (d) that if the State Government requires the grant of any subsidy to any consumer or class of consumers, the State Government shall declare the quantum of subsidy in advance categorically stating the consumer or the class of consumers to whom it is to be provided and in doing so, the State Government shall be guided by the Regulations for Multi Year Distribution Tariff evolved by Forum of Regulators; (e) create annual budgetary provision and also timely release of subsidies, if committed, in accordance with section 65 of the Electricity Act, 2003 on actual basis; (f) ensure that there are no arrears of electricity charges for electricity supplied to various Departments and Institutions of the State Government on or before the date of coming into force of this Act, and in case of failure to do so, it would be adjusted against the budgetary grant: Provided that the State Government shall make budgetary provisions including grants, to ensure payment to the State Distribution Licensee within due date of the charge 6 THE HIMACHAL PRADESH ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY ACT, 2014 for electricity supplied to its various Departments and Institutions; (g) set up, within one year from the date of coming into force of this Act, special courts, where it has not been done, to tackle theft of electricity in accordance with sections 153 to 157 of the Electricity Act, 2003; (h) ensure that the State Load Despatch Centre is operated within six months from the date of coming into force of this Act, by a Government company or any authority or corporation (other than the State Transmission Utility) established or constituted by or under any State Act, as may be notified by the State Government, and provide for other measures which shall ensure functional and financial autonomy, independent and sustainable revenue streams and adequate manpower: Provided that such Government company or any authority or corporation shall not engage in any functions other than those specified under sections 32 and 33 of the Electricity Act, 2003; (i) provide for the formation of subsidiaries, joint venture companies or other schemes of division, amalgamation, merger or reconstruction or arrangements in relation to the State Distribution Licensee which shall promote the profitability and viability of the resulting entity, ensure economic efficiency, public private partnership, encourage competition and protect consumer interests; and (j) such other measures as may be prescribed.