Exercise of emergency powers.

(1) If at any time it appears to the [State] Government- (a) that there is any likelihood of a failure in the continuous supply of a public electricity service or a diminution of such supply and that such failure or diminution will be to the public disadvantage, or (b) that there is any doubt as to whether the [State] Government or any other person is the owner of public electricity service, or (c) that it is expedient, during any period of transfer of the public electricity service to the [State] Government to assume possession and control of such service, the [State] Government may by order in writing declare its intention of assuming possession and control thereof for and on behalf of such service. (2) No such order shall be in force for more than six months, without prejudice to the issue of another such order at or before the end of that period : Provided that the maximum period during which such orders may continue in force at any one time shall not exceed two years from the commencement of the first order.