The rajasthan electricity (duty) act, 1962

The Rajasthan Electricity (Duty) Act 1962 
Act No. 12 of 1962 
(Updated up to 20.08.2019) 
 
[Received the assent of the Governor on the 21st day of May, 1962]. 
An Act to levy a duty on the consumption of electrical energy in Rajasthan. 
Whereas it is expedient to levy a duty on the consumption of el ectrical in Rajasthan. Be it enacted 
by the Rajasthan State Legislature in the Thirteenth Year of the Republic of India, as follows :- 
 
(1) Short title and extent.- 
(1) This Act may be called the Rajasthan Electricity (Duty) Act, 1962. 
(2) It extends to the whole of Rajasthan. 
 
 
(2) Definitions.- 
In this Act, unless there is anything repungant in the subject or context,- 
(a) “Board” means the Rajasthan State Electricity Board constituted under chapter 
III of the Electricity (supply) Act, 1948 (Central Act 54 of 1948); 
(b) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, Rajasthan, and 
includes the Additional Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, Rajasthan; 
(c) “Consumer” means a person who is supplied with energy by a supp lier 1[or by any 
other person who generates energy] and includes a supplier in r espect of the energy 
consumed by him in or upon premises used by him for his commerc ial or residential 
purposes; 
(d) “energy” means electrical energy; 
(e) “net rate charged” means the rate charged less any rebate or other deduction that 
may be allowed by the supplier; 
(f) “Prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 
(g) “rate charged” means the rate per unit, charged for energy by the supplier from the 
consumer, and does not include hire for meter or service. 
Provided that where a minimum cha rge or a fixed charge is payab le by a consumer 
instead of a rate per unit, the rate charged shall be deemed to  be the same as for other 
consumers of the same category; 
(h) “supplier” means the Board or a licensee licensed under chapter II of the Indian 
Electricity Act, 1910 (Central Act 9 of 1910) to supply energy and includes any 
person who has obtained the sanction in that behalf of the Stat e Government u/s 28 
of the said Act. 
(i) words and expressions not defined in this Act but defined in the Indian Electricity 
Act, 1910 (Central Act 9 of 1910) have the meaning assigned to them in that Act. 
 
 
 
1. Ins. by Act No. 5 of 1979, 
 
 
 
(3) Electricity duty on energy consumed.- 
There shall be levied for, and paid to, the State Government on the energy consumed by a consumer 
or by a person other than a supplier generating energy for his own use or consumption a duty 1 
(hereinafter referred to as the “electricity duty”) computed at such rate   [xx] as may be fixed by the 
State Government from time to time by notification in the Official Gazette: Provided that— 
 
(1) in respect of consumption of energy under a temporary connection obtained by a consumer 
from the supplier for a period not exceeding such number of days, for such purpose and 2 
exceeding such units as may be prescribed, the duty may be computed at a rate [xx] as may 
be fixed by the State Government form time to time by a notification in the Official Gazette; 
3 
[(1A) The total of the duty so levied and the net rate charged per unit shall not exceed the rate 
as may be notified by the State Government from time to time by a notification in the Official 
Gazette; and 
4 
[(IB) where energy is consumed by a cultivator in agricultural operations under a non- 
metered supply, the electricity duty shall be levied and charged at a rate as may be notified by 
the State Government from time to time. 
 
(2) the electricity duty shall not be levied on the energy consumed— 
 
(a) by the Government of India; 
(b) in the construction, maintenance or operation of any Railway by the Government of India; 
(bb) Where the energy is generated at a voltage not exceeding 100 volts; 
(c) [omitted by Act No. 8 of 1982 w.e.f. 3.3.1982]. 
(d) by the following classes of institutions, namely:— 
 
(i) hospitals or dispensaries, which are not maintained for private gain, 
(ii) recognised educational institutions, 
(iii) place of public worship, 
 
subject to the condition that the exemption under this sub-clause shall not be applicable to 
energy consumed in buildings or part of buildings, used for commercial or residential purposes. 
 
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[(3) where the State Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient in the public 
interest so to do, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt fully or partially, 
whether prospectively or retrospectively, from payment of electricity dut y payable on energy 
consumed by any consumer or class of consumers, without any condition or with such condition 
as may be specified in the notification.] 
 
 
3A. Levy of electricity duty during certain period.- 
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act  but subject to the statutory 
exemptions granted under sub -section (2) of section 3, there shall be levied 
and paid to the State Government from 3rd March, 1982 the electricity duty at 
the rate shown against each category of consumption as given below, and  such 
rate shall be deemed modified by the notification issued from time to time 
after 3rd 
 
March, 1982 under section 3:— 
(1) Industrial including mining 6 paise per unit 
(2) Agriculture  
(i) in the case of metered supply 1 paise per unit 
(i) in the case of non-metered supply 5% of the flat rate 
(3) Commercial, domestic and others 6 paise per unit 
(4) Consumption under temporary connection 15 paise per unit 
(5) Consumption of self-generated energy for any purpose 6 paise per unit. 
 
1[3B. Levy of water conservation cess. - 
 
(1) There shall be levied for, and paid to, the State Government on the energy consumed by a 
consumer or by a person other than a supplier generating energy for his own use or consumption, 
a cess to be called "water conservation cess" at 
the rate of ten paise per unit: 
 
Provided that no cess under this section shall be levied on the energy- 
 
(a) consumed by the Government of India; 
(b) consumed in the construction, maintenance or operation of any Railway by the 
Government of India; 
(c) consumed in domestic category; 
(d) consumed by a cultivator in agriculture operations; 
(e) consumed by the following classes of institutions, namely:- 
(i) hospitals or dispensaries, which are not maintained for private gain, 
(ii) recognized educational institutions, 
(iii) places of public worship, 
 
subject to the condition that the exemption under this sub-clause shall not be applicable to 
energy consumed in buildings or part of buildings, used for commercial purposes; 
 
(f) is generated at voltage not exceeding 100 volts. 
 
(2) The provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder shall, so far as may be, apply in 
relation to levy, payment, exemption, interest, computation and recovery of the cess payable 
under sub -section (1) as they apply to levy, payment, exemption, interest , computation and 
recovery of electricity duty payable under this Act. 
(3) The cess collected under this section shall be earmarked and utilized for the purpose of 
water conservation in the State.]. 
 
 
 
1. Ins. by Finance Act, 2009 (Act No.13 of 2009) w.e.f. 08.07.2009 
  
 
 
1 
[3C. Levy of urban cess.- 
 
(1) There shall be levied for, and paid to, the State Government on the energy consumed by a 
consumer or by a person other than a supplier generating energy for his own use or 2 
consumption, a cess to be called “urban cess” at the rate of [fifteen paise] per unit: 
 
Provided that no cess under this section shall be levied on the energy,- 
 
(a) consumed by the Government of India; 
(b) consumed in the construction, maintenance or operation of any Railway by the 
Government of India; 
(c) consumed by a cultivator in agriculture operations; 
(d) consumed in areas outside the municipal area in the State; 
(e) consumed in domestic category in municipal area where consumption does not exceed 
100 units per month; 
 
(f) consumed by the following classes of institutions, namely :- 
 
(i) hospitals or dispensaries, which are not maintained for private gain, 
(ii) recognized educational institutions, which are not maintained for private gain, 
(iii) places of public worship, subject to the condition that the exemption under this subclause 
shall not be applicable to energy consumed in buildings or part of buildings, used for 
commercial purposes; 
(g) generated at voltage not exceeding 100 volts. 
 
(2) The provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder shall, so far as may be, apply in 
relation to levy, payment, exemption, interest, computation and recovery of the cess payable 
under sub -section (1) as they apply to levy, payment, exemption, interest , computation and 
recovery of electricity duty payable under this Act. 
 
(3) The cess collected under this section shall be utilized for the purpose of providing basic 
amenities like street lighting, sanitation, maintenance of roads and energy conservation in 
municipal areas. 
 
Explanation.- For the purposes of this section “municipal area” means the municipal area as 
defined in clause (xxxix) of section 2 of the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009 (Act No. 18 of 
2009).] 
 
1. Ins. by The Rajasthan Finance Act, 2010 (Act No. 3 of 2010) w.e.f. 01.04.2010 
2. Subs. by The Rajasthan Finance Act, 2011 (Act No. 15 of 2011) Dated 15.04.2011 for 
"ten paise" 
  
 
4. Consumers to pay electricity duty.— 
The amount of electricity duty levied u/s 3 on the energy consumed by a consumer shall be 
payable by, and be collected and recovered from, the consumer in the manner hereinafter 
provided. 
 
 
5. Collection of electricity duty.— 
(1) The electricity duty shall be collected from the consumer and paid to the State 
Government by the supplier: 
Provided that, where the amount of electricity duty collected by the supplier 
from the consumer is not paid to the State Government within the prescribed 
period, the supplier shall be liable to pay interest at the rate of 12.5% per 
annum on the amount of e lectricity duty remaining so unpaid until the 
payment thereof is made. 
 
(2) The duty and the interest, if any, so payable shall be a first charge on the amount 
recoverable by the supplier for the energy supplied by him and shall be a debt due 
by him to the State Government. 
(3) Where any consumer fails or neglects to pay, within the prescribed time and in the 
prescribed manner, the amount of electricity duty due from him, the supplier may, 
without prejudice to the right of the State Government to recover the amount under 
section 8 and after giving not less than seven days clear notice in writing to such 
consumer, cut off the supply of energy to such consumer. 
 
(4) The supplier 1[and the person supplying energy free of charge] may, for the purpose 
of sub-section (2), exercise the powers conferred on a licencee under sub -section (1) 
of section 24 of the India Electricity Act, 1910 (Central Act 9 of 1910), as if the 
duty was a charge of sum due in respect of energy supplied to such consumer. 
1[(5) Every person, other than a  supplier, who generates energy and supplies the same to 
any other person free of charge, shall collect and pay to the State Government, at  
the time and in the manner prescribed, the electricity duty payable under this Act on 
the units of energy consumed by the other person.] 
Provided that where the amount of electricity duty collected by such person is not 
paid to the State Government within the prescribed period, he shall be liable to pay 
interest at the rate of 12.5% per annum on the amount of electrici ty duty remaining so 
unpaid until the payment thereof is made. 
(6) Every person, other than a supplier, who generates energy and supplies the same to 
any other person free of charge, shall collect and pay to the State Government, at 
the time and in the manner prescribed, the electricity duty payable under this Act on 
the units of energy consumed by the other person. 
Provided that where the amount of electricity duty collected by such person is not 
paid to the State Government within the prescribed period, he shall be liable to pay 
interest at the rate of 12.5% per ann um on the amount of electricity duty remaining so 
unpaid until the payment thereof is made. 
1. Ins. by Act No. 5 of 1979 w.e.f. 5.3.1979. 
6. Records and Returns.- 
(1) If the State Government so directs by a general or special order, a supplier 
1[and a person liable to pay electricity duty under sub -section (5) of section 
5 and a person not being a supplier who supplies energy free of charge as 
mentioned in sub-section (6) of section 5] shall maintain such record in such 
manner or form as may be prescribed showing:— 
(i) the units of energy generated or received by him for supply to 
the consumers; 
(ii) the units of energy supplied to consumers or consumed by him; 
(iii) the amount of the duty payable thereon and the duty recovered or paid 
by him under section 5; 
(iv) the amount of interest, if any paid under section 5; and 
(v) such other particulars as may be prescribed. 
 
(2) Every supplier and a person liable to pay duty under sub -section (5) of section 5 and 
a person not being a supplier who supplies energy free of charge as mentioned  in 
sub-section (6) of section 5 who has been directed under sub-section (1) to maintain a 
record shall submit returns in such form or manner as may be prescribed. 
(3) The amount of energy shall, for purpose of clauses (i) and (ii) of sub-section (1), be 
ascertained in such manner as may be prescribed. 
1. Ins. by Act No. 5 of 1979 w.e.f. 5.3.79. 
 
  
 
7. Duties and powers.- 
(1) The Commissioner and such officers as may be appointed to assist him 
shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be prescribed. 
(2) Subject to the provisions of any rules made by the State Government in this behalf, 
the officers appointed to assist the Commissioner if so specially empowered in this 
behalf by him, and any other officer specially empowered by the State 
Government in this behalf, may— 
(a) require production for inspection of such books and records as may  be 
necessary for ascertaining or verifying the amount of electricity duty 
leviable under the Act; 
(b) enter and search any premises where energy is or is believed to be supplied 
for the purpose of— 
(i) verifying the statements made in the books of account kept and 
returns submitted under section 6: 
(ii) testing the reading of meters; 
(iii) verifying the particulars required in connection with the levy of 
electricity duty; and 
(c) exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be 
necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act or the rules made 
thereunder. 
(3) All searches made under sub-section (2) shall be made in accordance with the 
provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (Central Act 2 of 1974). 
 
 
8. Electricity Duty Recoverable as arrears of land revenue.- 
Any sum due on account of electricity duty and interest, if any, if not paid within 
prescribed time and in the prescribed manner shall be recoverable by the State Government as 
an arrear of land revenue, 1[in the case of a person liable to pay duty under sub-section 
(5) of section 5, from such person, and in other cases], at the discretion of the State 
Government either from the consumer of from the supplier 1[or as the case may be, from the 
person supplying energy free of charge as mentioned in sub-section (6) of section 5.] 
1[Provided that the Commissioner may, in pursuance of any recommendation of the 
State Government, defer the recovery of electricity duty in res pect of an industrial unit 
declared as sick by the Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction constituted under 
the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 (Central Act No. 1 of 1986) 
for such period not exceeding five years and on s uch conditions with regard to the 
payment or rate of interest as may be specified in such recommendation.] 
 
2[“8A. Power of State Government to waive penalty and interest in certain cases. - 
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the State Government in the public 
interest, by notification in the Official Gazette, may reduce or waive any amount of 
interest or penalty payable under this Act, by any class of suppliers or persons, subje ct to 
such terms and conditions as may be specified therein.”.]  
1. Ins. by Act No. 5 of 1979 w.e.f. 5.3.79. 
2. Ins. by Finance Bill No.13 of 2019 
 
 
9. Penalties.- 
(1) If any person— 
(a) required by section 6 to keep record or to submit return fails to keep or 
submit the same in the prescribed manner or form; or 
(b) intentionally obstructs the Commissioner or any other officer appointed 
under section 7 in the exercise of his powers and duties under this Act 
and the rules; or 
(c) contravenes any rule; 
he shall be liable, on conviction before a magistrate, to a fine not exceeding 
two hundred rupees: 
Provided that the prescribed authority may compound such a case on payment of 
a sum not exceeding two hundred rupees. 
(2) If any person keeps any record or submits  any return specified in section 6, 
which he knows or has reasonable cause to believe, to be false, or not true in 
any material particulars, he shall be liable, on conviction before a Magistrate, 
to a fine not exceedingsRs. 1000/-. 
Provided that the prescribed authority may compound such a case on payment of 
a sum not exceeding Rs. 1000/-. 
1[9A. Offences by companies.- 
(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every 
officer who at the time the offence was committed was in charge of and was 
responsible to the company for the conduct of the business of the company, 
as well as the company shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall 
be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. 
Provided that nothing contained in t his sub -section shall render any such person 
liable to any punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the offence was committed 
without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of 
such offence. 
(2) Notwithstanding a nything contained in sub -section (1), where an offence 
under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the 
offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of or is 
attributable to any neglect on the part of any director, mana ger, secretary or 
other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other 
officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to 
be proceeded against and punished accordingly. 
Explanation:— For the purpose of this section,— 
 
(a) “company” means a body corporate and includes a firm or other association 
of individuals; and 
(b) “director” in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm. 
 
1. Ins. by Act No. 12 of 1992. 
 
  
 
9B. Protection of action taken in good faith.- 
 
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which 
is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act. 
 
10. Power to make rules.- 
(1) The State Government may make rules for the purpose of carrying into 
effect the provisions of this Act. 
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing 
power, such rules may provide for— 
(a) the manner of calculating the electricity duty; 
(b) the manner of collection and payment to the State Government of 
the electricity duty by the supplier; 
(c) the time and manner of payment of the electricity duty by consumers, 
1[(cc) the time and manner of payment of electricity duty by a person liable to 
pay duty under sub-section (5) of section 5: 
(ccc) provide for installation and the reading of meters and sub -meters and  
for getting them tested by an Electrical Inspector or by any other 
prescribed officer or authority; 
(cccc) the officer or authority which shall decide the dispute, if any, arising 
under the Act or the rules framed thereunder and prescribe the authority 
to which an appeal shall lie against the order passed on such dispute 
and the procedure for referring dispute to the officer or authority and 
for filing appeal;] 
(d) any other matter for which provision is, in the opinion of the State 
Government, necessary for giving effect to the provisions of this Act. 
(3) All rules made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after they are so 
made, before the House of the State Legislature, while it is in session, for a 
period of n ot less than fourteen days which may be comparised in one session 
or in two successive sessions and, if before the expiry of the session in which 
they are so laid or of the session immediately or resolves that any such rule 
should not be made, such rule sh all thereafter have effect only in such modified 
form or of no effect, as the case may be, so however, that any such modification 
or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously 
done thereunder. 
 
11. Repeal.- 
The Bombay Finance Act, 1932, in so far as it applies to Abu Area, is hereby repealed. 
 
 
1. Ins. by Act No. 5 of 1979 w.e.f. 5.3.79 
 
 

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