Domestic consumers of electricity have of late been getting a statement on the security deposit they may have to pay.
Aimed at providing greater transparency to the consumer, the statement has details regarding the existing security deposit amount held by him or her and, if required, additional security deposit amount. As the security deposits carry nine per cent interest, the existing SD amounts include interest accrued. The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) is planning to send another statement to every consumer which will also have details on current consumption charges paid during April 2012-March 2013. There are about 1.63 crore domestic consumers in the State, of whom only around a fourth – 40 lakh to 45 lakh – may be required to pay additional security deposit (ASD) amount, say Tangedco sources.
Biennial exercise
Done once in two years, the collection of ASD amount is being made as per relevant regulations of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code. It was in April 2011 the previous collection of ASD amount had been made.
The corporation has begun informing the consumers about their dues in two ways: mentioning the amount due in the receipts presented to the consumers at the time of payment of bi-monthly charges and, through e-mail to those who make payments online. Subject to the approval of local officials, the ASD amount can be paid in three equated instalments.
Explaining how the ASD amount is calculated, an official says that normally, the security deposit for a domestic consumer should be equivalent to three times the monthly average amount.
To arrive at the monthly average, under the present circumstances, the aggregate of current consumption charges paid by a consumer during April 2012-March 2013 is divided by 12 months.
Even though a domestic consumer pays the bill once in two months, the authorities, for the purpose of calculating the revised SD amount, have to arrive at the monthly average figure.
The amount so arrived will be multiplied by three to get the figure of the revised SD amount.
The ASD amount is the difference between the existing security deposit amount and the revised security deposit amount. If the existing SD amount falls short of the revised figure, the balance will be collected.
In the case of those having excess SD amount, the surplus will be adjusted towards bi-monthly power bills.
Another official points out that already, a considerable number of domestic consumers have paid the ASD. Originally, the deadline for payment was fixed as July. Now, the Corporation has decided to extend it to September.
