Section 54 — Control of transmission and use of electricity.

54. Control of transmission and use of electricity.–(1) Save as otherwise exempted under this Act, 
no person other than the Central Transmission Utility or a State Transmission Utility, or a licensee shall 
transmit or use electricity at a rate exceeding two hundred and fifty watts and one hundred volts– 

(a) in any street, or 
(b) in any place,– 

(i) in which one hundred or more persons are ordinarily likely to be assembled; or 
(ii) which is a factory within the meaning of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948) or a mine 

within the meaning of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952); or 
(iii) to which the State Government, by general or special order, declares the provisions of 

this sub-section to apply, 

without giving, before the commencement of transmission or use of electricity, not less than seven days’ 
notice in writing of his intention to the Electrical Inspector and to the District Magistrate or the 
Commissioner of Police, as the case may be, containing particulars of the electrical installation and plant, 
if any, the nature and the purpose of supply and complying with such of the provisions of Part XVII of 
this Act, as may be applicable: 

Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to electricity used for the public carriage of 
passengers, animals or goods, on, or for the lighting or ventilation of the rolling stock of any railway or 
tramway subject to the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989). 

(2) Where any difference or dispute arises as to whether a place is or is not one in which one hundred 
or more persons are ordinarily likely to be assembled, the matter shall be referred to the State 
Government, and the decision of the State Government thereon shall be final. 

(3) The provisions of this section shall be binding on the Government.