Multipoint connections set to prove a boon for the residents of societies

Over two months after the UPERC’s amendment to the Electricity Supply Code, 2005, multipoint power connections are going to be a reality in high-rise residential societies. The move will certainly be a boon for the residents of these societies as it will spare them from exorbitant power bills and steep maintenance charges.

With the expiry of UPERC deadline to high-rise societies to migrate from single-point connections to multipoint connections, the control of power supply is set to go back to distribution companies (Discoms).  This will prove highly beneficial for the residents of these multi-storey buildings as they will no longer be saddled with exorbitant electricity bills and high maintenance charges by some unscrupulous developers.

The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission’s deadline was issued as part of its suo moto order on August 5 this year for conversion to multipoint connections.

The issue goes back to August 2018 when the UPERC passed the 13^th Amendment to the Electricity Supply Code, 2005. By virtue of the amendment, the commission directed that all new connections to multi-storey buildings shall be released with multi-point connections. It also directed conversion of all existing single-point connections to multipoint by March 31, 2019.

Due to the non-compliance of this order, the commission initiated suo moto proceedings. A number of hearings were conducted to monitor the progress of the order. Based on the last hearing, the commission directed that the multi-storey buildings need to provide their consent to retain the single-point connections or else it will be mandatory for them to convert to multi-point connections. At least 51 per cent of the residents needed to give their consent in favour of single-point to be exempted from the conversion.

• By virtue of the amendment, the commission directed that all new connections to multi-storey buildings shall be released with multi-point connections.
• The commission directed that the multi-storey buildings need to provide their consent to retain the single-point connections or else it will be mandatory for them to convert.
• The commission also mandated that a dual-source, dual-register meter will be installed by electricity distribution companies (Discoms) for a total charge of Rs 15,000 per flat.
• It also directed the Discoms not to charge for the common area on a yearly basis as it would be difficult to collect the money if in case a flat had low or no balance.

The commission also mandated that a dual-source, dual-register meter will be installed by electricity distribution companies (Discoms) for a total charge of Rs 15,000 per flat, exclusive of GST. The commission strictly directed the Discoms to charge nothing extra for any connection. It directed that the dual-source, dual-register meters have to be installed where both the grid supply and DG supply was being provided. The societies where only the grid supply was being provided can be exempted from this, and can install the usual prepaid meter or smart meter.

Many issues were discussed between the commission and the electricity distribution companies like PVVNL, MVVNL, KESCO and NPCL. One of the major points of discussion was the common area charges. The commission directed the Discoms to charge the common area charges from the residents on a daily basis. It also directed the companies not to charge for the common area on a yearly basis as it would be difficult to collect the money if in case a flat had low or no balance.

Another key issue discussed was about the unoccupied flats in a housing society. It was contended that In the event of a new occupier seeking power connection, he or she was likely to dispute being charged for the common area when the flat was not occupied and no electricity was consumed. On this issue, the commission directed the discoms to charge every flat with an electricity connection whether anyone was residing in it or not.

With the stage having been set for conversion to multipoint connections post-the UPERC order, many such irritants regarding power consumption and billing are going to become a thing of the past for the residents of these multi-storey buildings that comprise housing societies.