RTI for APEPDCL / APSPDCL — Electricity Bill, Connection and Meter Complaints in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh's electricity distribution sector was reshaped following the bifurcation of the undivided Andhra Pradesh state in June 2014. Before bifurcation, the state had four distribution companies — APCPDCL, APNPDCL, APEPDCL, and APSPDCL. After bifurcation, APCPDCL and APNPDCL became TSSPDCL and TSNPDCL serving the newly formed state of Telangana, while the residual Andhra Pradesh retained APEPDCL (Eastern Power Distribution Company of AP Limited) for its eastern and northern districts and APSPDCL (Southern Power Distribution Company of AP Limited) for its southern and western districts. Both are wholly owned by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and are licensed by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC), the independent statutory regulator for the AP electricity sector.

Electricity consumers in Andhra Pradesh regularly encounter problems that demand access to official records: bills that spike without any change in usage, new connection applications stalled for months without a reason, faulty meters left unreplaced after repeated complaints, transformers chronically overloaded causing frequent outages, and agricultural pump connections delayed year after year. Because APEPDCL and APSPDCL are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 — being substantially financed and controlled by the State Government — every citizen has a statutory right to obtain the records these companies hold. The RTI Act is among the most effective instruments for an Andhra Pradesh electricity consumer to secure precise, certified answers.

APEPDCL vs APSPDCL: Which DISCOM Covers Your Area?

Before filing an RTI application, you must identify which DISCOM is responsible for your locality. Each company has a separate administrative structure, a separate set of SPIOs, and a separate appeal hierarchy. Filing with the wrong DISCOM wastes time, though Section 6(3) of the RTI Act requires misdirected applications to be transferred within five days.

APEPDCL (Eastern Power Distribution Company of AP Limited) covers the following districts:

• Visakhapatnam (including Visakhapatnam city, Bheemunipatnam, Paderu, and the agency areas)
• Vizianagaram
• Srikakulam
• East Godavari (Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram/Rajahmundry, Amalapuram, Rampachodavaram)
• West Godavari (Eluru, Bhimavaram, Narsapuram, Tadepalligudem)
• Krishna (Vijayawada, Machilipatnam, Gudivada, Nuzvid)

APEPDCL's corporate headquarters is at Srinagar Colony, Visakhapatnam – 530 016. Its consumer helpline is 1912.

APSPDCL (Southern Power Distribution Company of AP Limited) covers the following districts:

• Guntur (Guntur city, Tenali, Narasaraopet, Palnadu)
• Prakasam (Ongole, Markapur, Kandukur)
• Nellore (SPSR Nellore district — Nellore city, Kavali, Gudur)
• Kurnool (Kurnool city, Adoni, Nandyal)
• YSR Kadapa (Kadapa city, Proddatur, Rayachoti)
• Chittoor (Tirupati, Chittoor city, Madanapalle, Puttur)
• Anantapur (Anantapur city, Dharmavaram, Hindupur, Tadipatri)

APSPDCL's corporate headquarters is at Tiruchanoor Road, Tirupati – 517 503. Its consumer helpline is 1912.

If you are unsure which DISCOM covers your locality, check your electricity bill — the issuing company name, the section office address, and the division details are printed on every bill. The DISCOM whose name appears on your bill is the authority to which your RTI application should be addressed.

What RTI Can Help You Get

The RTI Act, 2005, entitles any citizen to inspect or obtain certified copies of records held by a public authority. For APEPDCL and APSPDCL, the following categories of records are routinely sought by consumers and are disclosable under the Act.

Meter Reading History and Billing Records

Both DISCOMs record meter readings for every consumer at each billing cycle. If your bill appears inflated or incorrect, RTI can surface:

• The actual opening and closing meter readings recorded by the meter reader for each billing cycle in the period you specify
• Whether estimated or average billing was applied in any cycle in lieu of an actual reading, the reason for the estimation, and the billing cycles affected
• The tariff category and rate per unit applied in each cycle under the prevailing APERC tariff order, all fixed charges, electricity duty, fuel surcharge adjustment (FSA), and any arrears or adjustments bundled into the bills
• Any corrections made to your account during the specified period and the basis for each correction

This documented record is the foundation for a formal billing dispute before the DISCOM's Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum (CGRF).

New Service Connection Status

APERC's Supply Code and the DISCOMs' own service standards prescribe defined timelines for processing new connection applications — from field inspection and estimate preparation to energisation. RTI can provide:

• Stage-wise processing status of your application — the date each stage was completed (or the reason it remains pending), including field inspection, estimate preparation, demand notice issuance, payment confirmation, material issuance, erection work, and meter installation
• The name and designation of the officer currently responsible for the pending stage
• Whether any official reason has been recorded for a delay beyond the APERC-prescribed or DISCOM service standard timeline

Agricultural Pump Connections

Agricultural pump connections are among the most frequently delayed connection categories in Andhra Pradesh due to feeder capacity constraints and release scheduling. In addition to the stage-wise status of your application, RTI can provide:

• The number of agricultural pump connection applications pending at your section or division as of a specified date
• The approved release schedule for your feeder or section and whether your application falls within a currently approved release plan
• The name of the engineer responsible for approvals at the section and division level

Transformer Load and Maintenance Records

Both DISCOMs maintain records for every distribution transformer in their network as part of their regulatory reporting obligations to APERC. RTI can provide:

• The rated capacity (KVA) and actual load (as a percentage of rated capacity) of the transformer serving your premises
• The date and cause of each transformer breakdown or failure during a specified financial year, the time taken to restore supply, and the number of consumers affected
• Whether the repair or replacement was carried out by DISCOM staff or under an external maintenance contract — and if under contract, the contractor's name and work order reference number

Transformer overloading is a common cause of frequent power outages and voltage fluctuations in Andhra Pradesh. RTI data demonstrating persistent overloading despite formal complaints is useful evidence for an escalation to the Superintending Engineer, the CGRF, or APERC.

Meter Testing Records

Under the Indian Electricity Rules and APERC regulations, a consumer may request a meter accuracy test. RTI can provide:

• The date and location of the test, the methodology applied, the testing officer's name and designation, and the percentage error recorded
• Whether the meter was certified as accurate or declared defective, and the date on which it was replaced if declared defective
• Any adjusted bills issued to correct overbilling caused by a defective meter, and the basis for the adjustment calculation

Consumer Complaint Records

Both DISCOMs maintain complaint registers at the section, sub-division, division, circle, and corporate levels. RTI can disclose:

• The total number of complaints received during a specified financial year at a specified section or division, categorised by type — billing disputes, meter faults, new connection delays, transformer failures, agricultural pump connections, voltage fluctuations
• The number of complaints resolved within the APERC-notified consumer service standards and the number pending beyond that period
• The average time taken to resolve each category, which reveals systemic service failures

Where to File: Division, Circle, or MD Office

APEPDCL and APSPDCL operate on a decentralised administrative structure. The correct office for filing an RTI application depends on the subject matter:

• For consumer-level matters — billing disputes, meter complaints, individual new connection applications, local transformer data, and section-level complaint records — file with the SPIO at the concerned Divisional Engineer (DE) or Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADE) office that administers your consumer number. Your electricity bill shows the section and division details.
• For feeder-level or circle-level data — for example, the load profile of a specific feeder, circle-level capital works, or circle-level complaint summary — file with the SPIO at the office of the Superintending Engineer (SE) of the concerned Circle.
• For corporate policy, budgets, and senior-level administrative records — file with the SPIO at the Managing Director's office (APEPDCL: Srinagar Colony, Visakhapatnam – 530 016; APSPDCL: Tiruchanoor Road, Tirupati – 517 503).

If you are uncertain about the correct SPIO, file at the Division level — Section 6(3) of the RTI Act requires the SPIO to transfer the application to the correct authority within five days if it was misdirected.

How to File Your RTI Application

Online Filing

Both APEPDCL and APSPDCL, being Andhra Pradesh State public authorities, are covered by the state's centralised RTI portal at rti.ap.gov.in. The portal allows you to:

• File an RTI application against APEPDCL or APSPDCL directly
• Pay the ₹10 application fee online by net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card
• Track the application status and receive the SPIO's reply electronically
• File a First Appeal online if the reply is unsatisfactory

Register on the portal, select the relevant DISCOM as the public authority, complete the application form, attach any supporting documents (such as your electricity bill, previous complaint acknowledgement, or connection application receipt), and pay the fee online.

Physical Filing

You may also file a physical application by:

1. Addressing it to the SPIO at the concerned Division or Circle Office (see address on your electricity bill or on the DISCOM's website)
2. Attaching the ₹10 fee via Indian Postal Order (IPO) drawn in favour of "The Accounts Officer, APEPDCL" or "The Accounts Officer, APSPDCL" (as applicable), or a demand draft in the same name — confirm the preferred instrument with the local office before dispatch
3. Sending by registered post with acknowledgement due, or delivering in person against a dated receipt

BPL cardholders are exempt from the ₹10 fee under the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Attach a copy of your BPL ration card with your application.

Keep your acknowledgement slip, postal tracking receipt, or online application number. These are essential if you need to escalate to an appeal.

What to Include in Your Application

• Your full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Your consumer number and meter number (for billing or meter-related queries)
• Your service connection application reference number (for new connection queries)
• The feeder or section name (for transformer or outage data)
• Each information request as a separate, numbered item — be specific about dates, financial years, and document types
• A statement: "I am seeking this information under Section 6 of the RTI Act, 2005"

Avoid vague requests such as "provide all records related to my account." The more precisely you frame each query, the more likely you are to receive a complete response within the 30-day period.

Timelines and Appeals

Response Deadline

The SPIO must provide a response within 30 days of receipt of your application under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005. If the information sought relates to a matter involving the life or liberty of a person, the SPIO must respond within 48 hours under the Section 7(1) proviso.

First Appeal (Section 19(1))

If the SPIO does not respond within 30 days, or the response is incomplete, evasive, or unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) designated within APEPDCL or APSPDCL — typically the Superintending Engineer at the Circle level or a senior officer designated for this purpose. The First Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date of the decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. No fee is required. Attach your original application, fee receipt, and the SPIO's reply (if any). The FAA must dispose of the First Appeal within 30 days (extendable to 45 days).

Second Appeal (Section 19(3))

If the FAA also fails to respond or gives an unsatisfactory reply, file a Second Appeal under Section 19(3) with the Andhra Pradesh State Information Commission (APSIC) within 90 days of the FAA's decision or the expiry of the FAA's response period. APSIC is the State Information Commission constituted under Section 15 of the RTI Act for all Andhra Pradesh state public authorities. The Central Information Commission (CIC) has no jurisdiction over APEPDCL or APSPDCL — both are state public authorities, and filing a second appeal with the CIC will result in it being returned as not maintainable.

APSIC can direct the DISCOM to furnish the information, impose a penalty of ₹250 per day (up to ₹25,000) on the SPIO personally under Section 20 of the RTI Act, and recommend disciplinary action if the default was without reasonable cause.

Parallel Remedies Alongside RTI

RTI and regulatory or consumer remedies work best when used together. Filing an RTI first gives you the documented records needed to support complaints through these parallel channels.

Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum (CGRF)

Both APEPDCL and APSPDCL have CGRFs constituted under Section 42(5) of the Electricity Act, 2003, and APERC regulations. The CGRF adjudicates complaints about billing disputes, service quality, and delayed connections — typically within 60 days. An RTI response containing certified copies of meter reading registers and billing worksheets significantly strengthens a CGRF complaint.

APERC Ombudsman

If the CGRF's decision is unsatisfactory, the consumer may appeal to the Electricity Ombudsman appointed by APERC under Section 42(6) of the Electricity Act, 2003. The Ombudsman can review CGRF decisions and provide an independent adjudication.

APERC (Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission)

APERC is the independent statutory regulator for the Andhra Pradesh electricity sector. It is a separate public authority from APEPDCL and APSPDCL and is not the correct target for consumer-level billing or connection RTI applications. However, APERC sets tariff orders, supply codes, and service standards — and if RTI data shows systemic non-compliance by either DISCOM with APERC-notified standards (for example, response times for new connections or transformer restoration), that data can be cited in a formal representation to APERC.

Consumer Forum (District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission)

If the DISCOM's deficiency of service has caused quantifiable monetary loss — for example, sustained overbilling confirmed by meter testing, or compensation for prolonged power outages — you may file a consumer complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The RTI response and CGRF order (if any) serve as key documentary evidence in such proceedings.

Tips for an Effective RTI Application

• Always include your consumer number and meter number when seeking billing or meter-related information. Without these identifiers, the SPIO may return your application as unanswerable.
• Specify exact billing cycles or financial years. Requests without a defined time window are difficult to process and may be returned as "information not available in the requested form."
• Ask for certified copies of specific records — meter reading registers, tariff calculation worksheets, transformer maintenance logs, complaint registers — rather than asking the DISCOM to "explain" a decision. Certified copies are admissible as evidence before the CGRF, APERC, or a civil court.
• For billing disputes, file the RTI before the CGRF complaint. The RTI response will contain the actual meter reading data and billing calculation; this documented evidence will significantly strengthen your position before the Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum.
• For agricultural pump connections, also ask for the approved release schedule and the number of pending applications ahead of yours — this data often reveals whether your application is being processed in order or has been skipped, which is important for a formal complaint.
• Cross-reference transformer load data with outage frequency. If RTI reveals that a transformer serving your area has been operating above rated capacity for an extended period, that data is direct evidence of a preventable service failure that can be cited in a CGRF or APERC complaint.
• Note the post-bifurcation context. If your area was previously served by APCPDCL or APNPDCL before 2014, those companies no longer exist in AP. APEPDCL and APSPDCL are the successor entities and hold all records generated by the predecessor DISCOMs within their respective territories. Direct your RTI application to the current DISCOM that now serves your area.