As per present condition of tariff, if the consumer fails to pay the bill within prescribed time limit, DPC, at the rates prescribed in L.T. & H.T. tariff schedules is applicable to the respective consumers. In addition to levy of DPC as above, interest on the outstanding arrears is also applicable @ 18% per annum for the first three months and 240% thereafter.

     This issue was considered by the Board and vide B.R. No.1606 dt. 12-3-1979, the Board has decided that statusquo should be maintained in respect of these conditions as at present applied to various categories of consumers, excepting the category of agricultural consumers who is either a small farmer or a marginal farmer as defined by the Agricultural Department of the Govt.

      The Board has decided that if such small and marginal farmers fail to pay the bill within the prescribed period, no DPC should be levied but only simple interest @ 1% per month on the unpaid amount of the total gross bill including excise and electricity duty, meter rent should be levied. The month should be counted from the due date of the payment of the bill, and for purpose of levy of interest part of the month should be treated as a full month. Interest on interest should, however, not be levied.

      In order to be able to avail of the facility of concessional rate of interest and exemption from payment of DPC, the concerned consumer should produce a certificate to the effect that he is either a small or a marginal farmer in accordance with the definition laid down by the Agricultural Department. The certificate should be obtained from the authorised Revenue Department Officer, not below the rank of Naib Tehsildar. The certificate must  be in regard to the particular holding for which connection has been granted.

     The Board's above decision should be given effect from 1-4-1979 onwards, i.e. Billing month of April 1979.

     The detailed definition of small farmer and marginal farmer is reproduce below for general guidance only. However, a certificate from the Revenue official is essential before the benefit of the above concession is given to the individual farmer.

Sd/- Chief Engineer (RE & Com)

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DEFINITIONS OF SMALL FARMERS & MARGINAL FARMERS

i) Small      Farmers:	Cultivators with dry land holding below five acres, and in case of Class-1 irrigated land as defined in the land ceiling legislation, the ceiling will be 2.5 acres.
ii) Marginal       farmers	Cultivators having dry land holding upto 2.5 acres, and of Class-1 irrigated land as defined in the land ceiling legislation of the State, the ceiling will be 1.5 acres.