CSERC Empanels NABL-Accredited Lab To Ensure Transparent Testing Of Defective Electricity Meters In Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) has issued an official order aimed at improving the testing process for tampered or defective electricity meters in the state. This move is part of the provisions under the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Supply Code, 2011, and is intended to ensure greater transparency, accuracy, and consumer protection in meter verification.

As part of this initiative, the Commission has empaneled M/s Yadav Measurements Private Limited (YMPL) as a third-party laboratory. The facility is accredited by NABL and BIS, ensuring it meets the required technical and quality standards. Located in Raipur at Danganiya Bazar Chowk, the laboratory will operate under the supervision of Mr. Sourabh Kumar Dubey. The empanelment will remain valid until October 13, 2029, aligning with the validity of the laboratory’s NABL certification.

To safeguard consumer interests, the Commission has laid down strict procedures for handling meters identified for testing. The distribution licensee must remove the meter in the presence of the consumer or their representative. It must then be securely sealed in a box using paper seals signed by both parties, ensuring that the meter remains untampered during transit. A detailed handover memo or challan must also be prepared, recording key details such as meter number, type, physical condition, and date of removal.

The sealed meter must be delivered to the laboratory within seven days. Upon receiving the meter, the laboratory is required to check the condition of the seals and confirm that the box has not been tampered with before accepting it. While the distribution licensee will handle the logistics, the transportation cost will be recovered from the consumer.

After testing is completed, the laboratory must share the final report with both the distribution licensee and the consumer, ensuring transparency in the entire process. The Commission has also defined a fee structure for different types of meter testing. For example, testing of a single-phase energy meter is priced at ₹450, while a three-phase meter with built-in current transformers costs ₹550. More advanced systems, such as HT tri-vector meters or EHV connections, involve significantly higher charges, with testing of a 132kV EHV connection reaching up to ₹175,860.

CSERC has made it clear that it holds the authority to revoke the empanelment if the laboratory fails to maintain quality standards or charges beyond the approved rates. The Commission may also empanel additional laboratories in the future to strengthen the system and support broader policy goals under the National Electricity Policy.