Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission has declared new electricity connections would not be denied to subsequent owners, occupiers or tenants if there are arrears in the bills, listed under the name of the previous occupants of the place.

"If the previous owners of a place have arrears in their bills, new electricity connections would still be facilitated for the subsequent owner, tenant or occupier. They would be treated as new consumers.," a bench comprising the commission chairman, U.N. Panjiar, and its member S.C. Jha, said in an order.

The order, which was passed recently, further said the dues, which the previous consumer has failed to pay, would be recovered from him under the provisions of Bihar and Orissa Public Demand Recovery Act, 1914. The alternate way would be to transfer the dues to the running accounts of the defaulter. A notice would be provided, 15 days after which , adjustments would be effected from their security deposits.

The commission passed the order after it found out that connections were being denied to such new applicants.

The commission also amended the third provision of Clause 4.1 of Bihar Electricity Supply Code, 2007, after taking into consideration the suggestions of the stakeholders and the general public.

The Commission directed the distribution licensees - North Bihar Power Distribution Company and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited - to implement the order.

Both the licensees have the responsibility to distribute and supply power across the state.

Besides, the commission also directed them to not refuse a new connection to an applicant if their residence was listed as a defaulter under the name of its previous owner.

"A licensee shall not refuse connection to an applicant only on the ground that dues on the other portions of their premises have not been paid. Nor shall the licensee demand any record of last paid bills from such applicants," the order said.

Where a property has seen sub-divided, the outstanding dues for the consumption of energy on such premises, if any, shall be divided and recovered on pro-rata basis - on area of subdivision. A new connection would be given to such sub-divided premises, only after the share of outstanding dues is duly paid by the applicant.

The new connection, however, can be refused if the applicant is an associate or relative of the defaulter, as defined in Section 2 and 6, respectively, of the Companies Act, 1956.

The licensees would not refuse electric connection to anyone on this ground, unless an opportunity to present their case is provided to the applicant and reasoned order is passed by an officer designated by the licensee for the purpose. The order of refusal shall be communicated within one month of receipt of the application.