Section 17 of The Energy Conservation Act, 2001
- (1)The designated agency may appoint, after the expiry of five years from the date of commencement of this Act, as many inspecting officers as may be necessary for the purpose of ensuring compliance with energy consumption standards specified under clause (a) of section 14 or ensure display of particulars on label on equipment or appliance specified under clause (b) of section 14 or for the purpose of performing such other functions as may be assigned to them.
- (2)Subject to any rules made under this Act, an inspecting officer shall have power to--
- (a)inspect any operation carried on or in connection with the equipment or appliance specified under clause (b) of section 14 or in respect of which energy standards under clause (a) of section 14 have been specified;
- (b)enter any place of designated consumer at which the energy is used for any activity and may require any proprietor, employee, director, manager or secretary or any other person who may be attending in any manner to or helping in, carrying on any activity with the help of energy--
- (i)to afford him necessary facility to inspect--
- (A)any equipment or appliance as he may require and which may be available at such place;
- (B)any production process to ascertain the energy consumption norms and standards;
- (ii)to make an inventory of stock of any equipment or appliance checked or verified by him;
- (iii)to record the statement of any person which may be useful for, or relevant to, for efficient use of energy and its conservation under this Act.
- (3)An inspecting officer may enter any place of designated consumer--
- (a)where any activity with the help of energy is carried on; and
- (b)where any equipment or appliance notified under clause (b) of section 14 has been kept, during the hours at which such place is open for production or conduct of business connected therewith.
- (4)An inspecting officer acting under this section shall, on no account, remove or cause to be removed from the place wherein he has entered, any equipment or appliance or books of account or other documents.
Summary
- Section 17 gives the designated state agency the power to appoint inspecting officers to ensure that energy consumption standards and equipment labels are legally followed.
- These appointments can only be made after five years have passed since the Act originally commenced.
- An inspecting officer can enter a designated consumer's premises during operating hours to check equipment, review production processes, and take inventory.,
- The officer can also record statements from employees, managers, or anyone helping with the energy activities to support conservation efforts.,
- However, the officer is strictly forbidden from removing any equipment, appliances, or business documents from the property they enter.,
Practical examples
FAQ
1. When can inspecting officers be appointed under Section 17 of The Energy Conservation Act, 2001?
According to Section 17 of The Energy Conservation Act, 2001, the designated agency may appoint inspecting officers only after the expiry of five years from the date the Act commenced.
2. What are the main limitations on an officer's power to enter a facility under Section 17 of the energy conservation rules?
Under Section 17 of the energy conservation rules, an officer can only enter the place during hours when it is open for production or business, and they cannot remove any equipment or documents.,
3. Can an inspector take statements from a factory manager under Section 17 of the Act?
Yes, Section 17 of the Act allows inspecting officers to record the statement of any person, including managers, if it is useful for ensuring the efficient use of energy.,
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 17 of The Energy Conservation Act, 2001, what is a strict limitation placed on an inspecting officer while conducting an inspection?
Q2.According to Section 17 of the energy efficiency law, when is an inspecting officer allowed to enter the premises of a designated consumer?
Q3.Based on Section 17 of the energy conservation regulations, how soon after the commencement of the Act can inspecting officers be appointed?
Q4.Which of the following is a designated task of an inspecting officer under Section 17 of The Energy Conservation Act, 2001?