SRINAGAR: The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has authorised officers in electricity distribution subdivisions to disconnect power supply when electricity theft is detected, subject to the provisions of the Electricity Act and the applicable Supply Code.
The authorisation covers officers serving as in-charge of respective Electric Distribution Sub-divisions of the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL), Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD), within their respective territorial jurisdictions.
The decision was issued through JERC Order No. 07 of 2026 dated October 1, following a request from JPDCL for authorisation of Sub-division In-charge Officers to exercise the power of disconnection under the first proviso to Section 135(1A) of the Electricity Act, 2003.
The Commission has also authorised officers holding a valid authorisation under Section 135(2) of the Act to exercise the disconnection power within the territorial jurisdiction covered by that authorisation.
The order makes clear that the authorisation for disconnection under Section 135(1A) is separate from the authority required for entry, inspection, search and seizure under Section 135(2). Such powers can only be exercised by officers separately authorised under the latter provision and subject to the safeguards prescribed under the Act and the applicable Supply Code.
Officers of a higher rank than those specifically authorised may also exercise the power of disconnection within their jurisdiction in accordance with Section 135(1A), the Commission said.
JPDCL, KPDCL and LPDD have been directed to maintain and publish updated lists of authorised officers at their offices and on their respective websites, specifying their names, designations, ranks, territorial jurisdictions and the statutory provisions under which they are authorised.
The utilities have also been directed to ensure that photo identity cards accurately reflect the scope of each officer’s authorisation, while inspection powers under Section 135(2) are to be shown only where the requisite Government authorisation exists.
The Commission directed the utilities to comply with the JERC Electricity Supply Code Regulations, 2023, including provisions relating to inspection, evidence, assessment and consumer safeguards. Records of disconnections, police complaints and restoration of supply are also to be maintained for production before the Commission when required.
The Managing Directors of JPDCL and KPDCL and the Chief Engineer of LPDD have been directed to circulate the order among concerned officers and submit compliance reports to the Commission within 15 days of receiving it, along with the published lists of authorised officers and copies of Government authorisations wherever applicable.
