It has been reported that a number of consumers fall into arrears of long durations, ultimately in a substantial loss of revenue to the Board. This is largely due to the fact that timely action of disconnection is not taken by the field officers. It is, therefore, brought to the notice of all concerned officers that they should very strictly comply with the instructions given in Clause i (a) regarding payment of bills security deposit under part VIII of the Commercial Code of Instructions.

If even after disconnection, payment is not received against the outstandding dues, the same should be adjusted against the amount of Security Deposit taken from the consumer and for the balance amount steps should be taken for recovery through legal action as per procedure laid down under part IX of the Commercial Code of Instructions. In doing this the field officers should be vigilant to see that the defendant does not dispose of his property as stated in the Departmental Circular No. 17.

The relevant paragraphs are reproduced below for ready reference of the field officers.

(A)	Vill-Payment of Bills/Security Deposit.
1	Payment of Bills.
	a)	Whenever for any consumer, arrears on account of non-payment of previous bills are shown in any bill, a notice in B-4 form should always be sent to him alongwith the bill preferably pasted on to the bill. The bill with such a notice is to be sent either by Hand Delivery and signature obtained for its receipt or the same should be sent by Registered Post as per conditions of supply. If the payment of the previous outstanding amount is not made within the notice period allowed, the consumer should be disconnected. Before disconnection ,however, the consumer may be warned that the supply is being disconnected for non-payment of arrears and a further 24 hours period may be allowed to enable him to make the payment if he so desires. If the consumer pay up th arrears amount in full within the notice period, but not the balance amount of the current bill, no action should be taken for disconnection, but if the arrears are not paid in full, but only in part the supply should be disconnected.