The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) has started implementing the termination of service agreement (TA) for low tension (LT) consumers whose services have been disconnected due to non-payment of electricity charges or for any other reasons, including surrendering of the connection. The revenue department of the TNPDCL, in a circular issued on July 31, has started enforcing the auto account closure of electricity connections for LT consumers through the automated process of SMS.

The circular issued by TNPDCL Chairman and Managing Director Arun Roy elaborates on the procedures to be followed by all the officials concerned in connection with termination of service connections and removal of meters for those disconnected services. The highlight is the generation of TA notice on completion of 90 days from the date of disconnection of services from October 1, last year.

However, the circular which was widely circulated among consumer and social welfare activists, has created a wrong impression that domestic services which are not active for more than three months would be disconnected.

S. Amudha, a resident of West Mambalam, said the circulation of a report on some channels claiming that LT services that are inactive for more than three months would be disconnected, created panic among the residents in her flat.

A senior official of TNPDCL said the circular was issued to reinforce the existing regulation. He said that automation through messages was the only change. Earlier, notices had to be physically given, and it was not properly followed in many cases. As a result, customers continued to consume power at penal rates without their own knowledge, eventually ending up with huge bills. He put to rest rumours that the circular was concerned only with disconnection of services for unpaid bills.

Published - August 05, 2026 05:30 am IST