Discontinuance of supply in certain circumstances

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Electricity Act, 1910, or any licence granted thereunder or any agreement for the supply of electrical energy, the State Government may, if in its opinion it is necessary or expedient for maintaining the supply or securing the equitable distribution of electrical energy, by an order in writing- (i) authorise, or (ii) require a licensee to, and the licensee when so required shall, discontinue or reduce the supply of electrical energy to any consumer, other than a distributing licensee, who- (a) without the permission of the State Government contravenes any direction issued to him under section 3; or (b) without the permission of the State Government— (i) exceeds at any time— (I) in relation to the Bombay area of the State of Gujarat, the maximum demand in Kw of electrical energy recorded in respect of him in relation to that area during the twelve months ending on the 31st January, 1943, or (II) in relation to the Saurashtra area of the State of Gujarat, the maximum demand in Kw of electrical energy recorded in respect of him in relation to that area during the twelve months ending on the 31st January, 1950, or (III) in relation to any other area, the maximum demand in Kw of electrical energy recorded in respect of him during the twelve months ending on such date as may be specified by the State Government, or (ii) connects or has connected load— (I) in the Bombay area of the State of Gujarat, beyond that notified in writing to the licensee up to 31st January 1943, (II) in the Saurashtra area of the State of Gujarat, beyond that notified in writing to the licensee up to 31st January, 1950, (III) elsewhere, beyond that notified in writing to the licensee up to such date as may be specified by the State Government; or (iii) exceeds the supply permitted by the State Government under sub-section (3) of section 5 or sanctioned by a licensee in pursuance of a requisition made under clause VI of the Schedule to the Indian Electricity Act, 1910, or, (c) within three months, after the service on him by the licensee of a notice in writing in this behalf does not utilise any electrical energy. (2) The licensee shall— (i) before discontinuing or reducing the supply of electrical energy under sub-section (1) give the consumer not less than 48 hours' notice in writing of his intention so to do; (ii) on discontinuing the supply, communicate to the State Government within twenty-four hours from the date of discontinuance the circumstances in which he has done so; (iii) on being so directed by the State Government recommence the supply with all possible speed. (3) The licensee shall report to the State Government within twenty-four hours of its coming to his notice every contravention of any direction given under section 3, or clause (b) of sub-section (1).