By Smt. Mini Mathew, Member
1. According to the complainant her husband obtained an electricity connection from the opposite parties, office to their residence. The complainant's husband is working in Saudi Arabia. The consumer number is 910. The electricity connection stood in the name of complainant's husband Sri. Hamza. The complaint is filed by the complainant as a beneficiary to the said electricity connection. The opposite parties regularly issued electricity bills and the complainant remitted those bills promptly without any delay. But unfortunately on 25-07-2013 the second opposite party has issued a demand & disconnection notice dated, 29-06-2013 demanding the complainant to pay an amount of Rs.18,200/-(Rupees Eighteen thousand, two hundred only). The said notice shows that the amount claimed for Meter Faulty period from 4/2009. The complainant further alleges that she is not liable to pay such huge amount. Since she had paid the electricity bills in time without any delay or latches. The complainant is not liable to pay the amount claimed in the notice. Hence this complaint.
2. Through this complaint the complainant requested before this Forum that
a) directing the opposite parties to cancel the demand & disconnection notice dated, 29-06-2013 issued to the consumer No.910 for Rs.18,200/-(Rupees Eighteen thousand, two hundred only).
b) restraining the opposite parties from initiating any actions to disconnect the electricity connection to the consumer No.910.
Along with the complaint, the complainant filed IA-254/13 seeking interim stay thereby restraining the opposite parties from disconnecting the electricity supply to consumer No.910. That was allowed.
3. Even though notice from this Forum was served to the opposite parties they were not represent the case before this Forum. Their names were called and set exparte. Complainant's chief affidavit filed and Ext.A1 marked. No contra evidence was adduced by any of the opposite parties.
4. Ext.A1 itself clearly discloses the fact that the assessment is made by the spot biller of the Kerala State Electricity Board on the basis of a Faulty Meter. It is recorded in the top portion of the Bill that “Assessment bill due to wrong application of Average during Meter faulty period.” It is a matter of common sense that the spot biller used to visit the residence of the complainant and meter reading is recorded by him. He can very well report the matter to the higher authorities. It is the duty of the Kerala State Electricity Board to install the defect free Meter to the consumer's residence. Checking the meter and replacing the defective equipment is also the duty of the Kerala State Electricity Board. It is obvious that the very assessment on the basis of a faulty meter itself will amount to gross deficiency in service on the side of the opposite party.
5. Electricity is a necessity and it is unavoidable in our society. So the electricity board should certainly take necessary steps to provide uninterrupted supply of electricity to the consumers.
6. In the result, we are hereby cancelling the Ext.A1 ie., the demand & disconnection notice dated, 29-06-2013 issued to the consumer No.910 for Rs.18,200/-(Rupees Eighteen thousand, two hundred only). The interim order issued by this Forum in IA-254/2013, restraining the opposite party from disconnecting the Electricity Supply to the consumer No.910 of the complainant is made absolute. No order as to cost.
- Dated this 6th day of May, 2014.
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K. MOHAMMED ALI, PRESIDENT
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R. K. MADANAVALLY, MEMBER
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MINI MATHEW, MEMBER
APPENDIX
Witness examined on the side of the complainant : Nil
Documents marked on the side of the complainant : Ext.A1
Ext.A1 : Demand and Disconnection notice dated, 29-06-2013 for Rs.18,200/-
by second opposite party to complainant.
Witness examined on the side of the opposite parties : Nil
Documents marked on the side of the opposite parties : Nil
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K. MOHAMMED ALI, PRESIDENT
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R. K. MADANAVALLY, MEMBER
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MINI MATHEW, MEMBER
