About Us

Electricity is a subject included in the concurrent list of Constitution of India. The Electricity Act, 2003 (Act 36 of 2003) has been enacted repealing the Indian Electricity Act, 1910, the Electricity Supply Act, 1948 and Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998. The said Electricity Act, 2003 has come into force with effect from 10th June 2003.

The Electrical Inspectorate Department was created in September 1961 as separate Department with Chief Electrical Inspector as its Head of the Department. After the formation of Energy Secretariat Department on 1.8.93, it has come under the administrative control of the Energy Department.

FUNCTIONS

The Electrical Inspectorate Department is entrusted with the following duties and functions :-

  • Carrying out inspections and other services under Indian Electricity Rules 1956, till regulations are made under the Electricity Act, 2003 (Act 36 of 2003).
  • Tamil Nadu Lifts Act, 1997 and Tamil Nadu Lifts Rules 1997.
  • Duties specified in Tamil Nadu Cinemas (Regulation) Rules 1957, in respect of Electrical installation of Cinema Houses.
  • Functions as Member of Technical Committee Bureau of Indian Standards, which makes Indian standard specifications in Electro Technical Field.
  • The Chief Electrical Inspector to Government, has to function as Ex-Officio President of the Tamil Nadu Electrical Licensing Board constituted under Rule 45 of the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.
  • Chief Electrical Inspector to Government has to function as the Ex-officio President of the Government Board of Examiners for Cinema operators constituted under Tamil Nadu Cinema (Regulation) Rule, 1957.

Functions under Indian Electricity Rules,1956

Approval of High and Extra-High Voltage Electrical installations and periodical inspections of Generating Companies, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and High Tension consumers under Rule 46 of Indian Electricity Rules 1956.

On receipt of intimation of all electrical accidents in the generation, transmission,
supply and use of energy, inspection of the accident spot and preparation of reports as per Rule 44A of Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.

Tamil Nadu Tax on Consumption or Sale of Electricity Act, 2003

This Act has come into force on and from 16.6.2003 repealing the existing Tamil Nadu Electricity (Taxation on consumption) Act 1962 and Tamil Nadu Electricity Duty Act, 1939.

  • 10 paise tax per unit is levied on self-generated consumption of electrical energy.
  • 5 percent tax is levied on the net charge of Electricity sold by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board or by any other licensee.
  • Following categories of consumers are exempted from the levy of the above tax :- 
  1. Government Bodies
  2. Railway Administration
  3. Any Local Authority
  4. Energy sold by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board or any other Licensees for the use of domestic, huts and agriculture purpose.

Testing Facilities

The Government Electrical Standards Laboratory, attached to the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector to Government, is engaged in the calibration and testing of electrical equipments received from various State Electricity Boards, Quality Control Department of Industries, Contractors, etc. Further, Mobile Laboratories have been created at Chennai, Salem and Tirunelveli in 2001 with facilities for relay test, Insulation tests etc., in addition to the existing labs at Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy. There is a Government Electrical Standards Laboratory at Guindy and Chennai. There are mobile Electrical testing Laboratories in Chennai, Salem, Thirunelveli, Madurai and Trichy.

Organisation Structure

Electrical Inspectorate headed by Chief Electrical Inspector to Govt., is under the administrative control of Energy Dept. The Chief Electrical Inspector to Govt. is assisted by other statutorily appointed Electrical Inspectors in various cadres such as Senior Electrical Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Assistant Electrical Inspector & Junior Electrical Inspector in executing the technical works. In administration & clerical side there are Chief Accountants, Administrative Officer, Superintendents and other ministerial staffs.