KERALA STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION SISUVIHARLANE VAZHUTHACADU THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
APPEAL NO. 54/2016
JUDGMENT DATED. 01/10/2018
( Appeal filed against the Order in CC.No. 211/2014, Cdrf, Idukki.)
PRESENT:
HON’BLE JUSTICE SRI S.S.SATHEESA CHANDRAN: PRESIDENT
SRI. T.S.P. MOOSATH : JUDICIAL MEMBER
RANJIT .R : MEMBER
APPELLANT:
Smt. Helen Jacob,
Mamoottil Pleasant villa, Mulukunnam,
Mundakayam East P.O, Idukki.
V/S
RESPONDENT:
Assistant Engineer,
P. H.Section, Kerala water authority,
Peerumade, Idukki.
JUDGMENT
SRI. RANJIT. R MEMBER
Complainant , not being satisfied with the Order dated 31-07-2015 passed in her complaint, viz CC.No. 211/14 by the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Idukki has filed this appeal. The lower forum directed the opposite party to provide drinking water to complainant through the land where consent of owner had been obtained within 30 days from the receipt of the Order. Over and above that complainant should have been granted the compensation claimed also is her case for filing appeal. Complainant is a consumer of opposite party having taken a drinking water connection from them. Previously the complainant was getting enough water from that connection in the summer days. Now she is not getting enough water even for cooking. The difficulty was informed to the opposite party and also to higher authorities filing petitions. Complainant now has to purchase water from other sources. The in adequacy of water supply because extension of pipeline allowing numerous connection from the same pipeline by the opposite party.
The opposite party contended in their version that the pipeline in the area is fixed with 25 mm to 65 mm width pipe and total length is 22km from the tank. There are three pumping station , 61 public taps and 165 house connections. They are ready to supply water without any trouble but due to problem in power supply and breakage of pipeline they cannot do it properly. They further contended that water authority is planning to start a project in the area spending 22.5 crores rupees and when it is commissioned there will not be any problem for getting water in the area.
The evidence consisted of the oral testimony of complainant as Pw1 and Exbt. P1 and P2 on his side . Exbt. R1 to R3 were marked on the side of opposite party.
Appreciating the materials produced by both sides the forum below taking note that the complainant is not getting sufficient water and that opposite party has admitted that if a new line is drawn, then, all problems over getting water will be solved, directed the opposite party to provide drinking water to complainant through the place where consent for the same had been obtained within 30 days from the order. Not satisfied with the order complainant has filed the appeal reiterating the claim for compensation.
Heard the appellant who was present in person. Perused the records. The contention of the appellant is that since there was no water to her residence , she incurred expenses towards buying drinking water from tanker lorry. Even though she claimed an amount of Rs. 45910/- as compensation and cost, the forum below did not allow any amount on this count. Complainant submitted that she is not getting enough water, but people of nearby colony is getting water.
As per version of opposite party they are ready to draw pipe line through the property of neighbouring land owners to the complainant’s house. For that consent of neighbouring land owners has to be obtained. Due to lack of fund complainant has to meet the expenses for the same. Then only they will be able to extend the pipe line to the complainant’s place, but, the complainant is not ready to pay any amount for drawing such connection.
Eventhough the complainant was not willing to spent any amount to draw a new pipe line the lower forum directed the opposite party to provide water drawing the line through the land of neighbours after getting consent from them.
Complainant claimed compensation and cost at Rs. 45,910/- setting forth a case that she had incurred such expenses for getting water during the period when she was not getting water. However, no records were produced by complainant to substantiate her claim.
In the above circumstances, the lower forum has not allowed the prayer of complainant for getting compensation.
We find that the case canvassed by the appellant / complainant to get compensation and cost is not supported by any material, and it was rightly not allowed by the forum below.
Appeal is devoid of merit and it is dismissed. In the result appeal is dismissed.
Parties directed to suffered their respective cost.
JUSTICE S.S.SATHEESA CHANDRAN: PRESIDENT
T.S.P. MOOSATH : JUDICIAL MEMBER
RANJIT .R : MEMBER
Sh/-