The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued a draft regulation on burnt meter replacement through its Sixth Amendment to the Licensees’ Standards of Performance Regulation, 2004. This new amendment was released from Vidyut Niyantrana Bhavan, Kurnool, and is set to be called the Sixth Amendment to APERC (Licensees’ Standards of Performance) Regulation, 2025. It will extend to the entire state of Andhra Pradesh and will come into effect from the date it is published in the official Gazette.
The Commission has pointed out that the original standards of performance regulation were first notified in June 2004, followed by multiple amendments in 2005, 2013, 2021, 2023, and 2024. After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the new APERC adopted these regulations in 2014. The latest amendment is being aligned with the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, which were issued by the Government of India on December 31, 2020. These rules required state commissions to set timelines for replacing defective, burnt, or stolen meters, and APERC has now acted in line with this guidance to improve consumer protection.
The draft regulation introduces specific timelines for replacing burnt meters depending on whether the fault lies with the licensee or the consumer. If the burning of the meter is due to reasons attributable to the licensee—such as high voltage, loose contacts, or ageing of the meter—the licensee will have to replace the burnt meter at its own cost. The replacement must be done within twenty-four hours in urban areas and seventy-two hours in rural areas from the time a complaint is received.
On the other hand, if the burning of the meter is caused by reasons attributable to the consumer—such as tampering, faults in the consumer’s installation, water damage, or unauthorized additional load—the consumer will have to bear the cost of the replacement. In such cases, too, the licensee must ensure the replacement is completed within twenty-four hours in urban areas and seventy-two hours in rural areas, but only after the consumer has made the required payment and corrective actions are taken to avoid repeat damage.
The regulation also provides for compensation in case of delay in service. If the meter is burnt due to reasons attributable to the licensee and the replacement is not carried out within the stipulated time, the licensee must pay Rs. 100 per day to the affected consumer for each day of default. This compensation applies only when a single consumer is affected. For cases where multiple consumers are impacted, no individual compensation has been provided under this draft.
The draft regulation is clearly aimed at aligning state standards with central rules while putting consumer interest at the forefront. It emphasizes timely replacement of burnt meters both in urban and rural areas, holding the licensee accountable where the fault lies on their side, and setting strict timelines even when consumers are responsible. The draft was issued on September 12, 2025, signed by the Commission Secretary in charge, P. Krishna, and is now open for consideration before being finalized in the official Gazette.
This step is expected to benefit consumers across Andhra Pradesh by ensuring the timely restoration of metering services, reducing inconvenience, and protecting them from potential financial losses caused by delays.
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