Consumer Billing
Domain 11: Consumer Billing
This domain tests how meter readings become a consumer bill.
Core rules
- Bill components include fixed or demand charges, energy charges by slab, fuel adjustment, wheeling, electricity duty or tax, arrears, subsidy and security-deposit adjustments.
- Energy charge: apply each slab rate only to units falling in that slab, not to all units.
- Fixed charges apply even at zero consumption, based on sanctioned load and category.
- Check meter multiplier, billing period and previous arrears before issuing the bill.
Worked example
A residential consumer uses 250 units. Slab 1: first 100 units at ₹3.50 = ₹350. Slab 2: next 150 units at ₹5.00 = ₹750. Energy charge = ₹1,100. Add fixed charge ₹100, giving ₹1,200. Assuming electricity duty of 16%, duty = ₹192, so total = ₹1,392. Reasoning: slab rates are marginal, not a flat rate on all 250 units.
Traps that cost marks
- Applying the top slab rate to every unit.
- Omitting fixed charges.
- Ignoring the CT multiplier.
- Mixing billing-period dates.
- Not checking subsidy eligibility.