SMT.MOLYKUTTY MATHEW   : MEMBER

       The complainant  has  filed this complaint  under sec.12 of the Consumer Protection Act 1986 seeking  direction against the opposite party  to stop the revenue recovery proceedings against the complainant and to pay compensation to the complainant. .
  The case of the complainant in brief.
      The complainant  submits that  he is having  consumer ID NO. 4232102230 of KWA Taliparamba section.  The complainant has taken a domestic water connection from the  JICA water supply scheme to his house situated at Karimbam,Taliparamba Muncipality.  The complainant's property is  situated in Panniyur Amsom, Poomangalam Desom, Ottapalanagar lying in RS No.21/2 having an extent of 5 cents.  The complainant has taken the water connection on 4/6/2014 for  domestic purpose only.  He paid  connection fittings for Rs.2981 dtd.29/4/14.  The first meter reading was taken on 22/1/2015, and on 31/3/2015 the complainant has paid Rs.500/- as  water charge.  Then the  2nd reading was taken on 5/5/16 the amount shown in the bill for  Rs.56,460/-.  But the complainant surprised  that he  is not in a  position to use the huge consumption of water.  The complainant approached the office of the opposite party and informed that a coconut leaf  fall on the pipe line, huge quantity of water was leaked out through his water connection due to breakage of pipeline.  Then the complainant filed a petition before the opposite party for clear the extra bill amount .  Thereafter on 24/9/16 the bill issued by opposite party for Rs.61060/-.  Then the complainant appeared before opposite party and he states that some clerickal  mistate  caused to the bill.  At last on 17/1/2017 the opposite party send a demand notie stating that the complainant if not paid the due amounts within 7  days of the receipt of this notice the water connection will be  disconnected and  to proceed other  acts also.  But  the complainant states that he already reported the opposite party for leakage of the water.  But no steps were taken by the  opposite party to cure the leakage of the  pipe.  At last on 4/9/2018 the opposite party again issued the bill to the complainant for a total due amout of Rs.1,09,400/- .  But the complainant states that for the last 2 year the complainant was not use the opposite party's water connection.  Alleging that the above said acts amounts to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on the part of opposite party.  The complainant has filed the instant complaint.

      After filing the complaint notice was issued to   opposite party.  appeared before the Fora and filed his written version  and produced Exts.B1 to B3.  Opposite party  contended  that the complainant  is  having  more than 1 acres  cultivating land.  He is also  using water from domestic line for irrigation illegally.  But the opposite party has not proved the extend of property.   No steps were taken for the same.  Moreover opposite party states that there is no clerical error in the bill it is prepared through computer softeare and the complainant is liable to pay the bill also.  Moreover the opposite party states that on accumulation of huge arrear as water charge and the consumer was not willing to remit even a part of it, the  disconnection notice was issued to the complainant as a part of revenue recovery procedure and it is absolutely as per the normal procedure.   There is no deficiency of service and unfair trade practice on his part and  to dismiss the complaint.

   Accordingly  the complainant has  to produced his chief afidavit  in lieu of  his  chief examination and Exts.A1 to A4 produced .  On complainant side he  states that  he approached the office of the opposite party and informed that a coconut leaf had fallen on the  pipe line and 3 days huge quantity of  water was leaked out through his water connection due to breakage of pipeline.  No steps were taken by the opposite party.  The opposite party has absolutely  failed to cross examine the complainant nor adduced any reliable evidence  against the complainant.  From the forgoing discussion and findings we hold  that there is deficiency of service  on the part of opposite party.  So the bill is not a legal one and the complainant has no liability to remit the arrear bill.

      In the result, we the Fora allowed the complaint  directing the opposite party to restrain the  revenue recovery proceedings against the complainant regarding the arrear bill.  This order to be complied by the  opposite party within  30 days of  receipt  of this order.  Failing which  the  complainant shall be  at liberty to  execute  the  order as  per the  provisions  of Consumer Protection Act 1986.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Exts
A1 -copy of demand and disconnection notice
A2- Petition to Asst.Executive Engineer
A3-Tax receipt,
A4-photocopy of janmam document
B1. dt.17/1/17- Demand notice
B2- receipt
B3-Provisional approval notice

Sd/                                                                                        Sd/
MEMBER                                                                        PRESIDENT

eva                                         /Forwarded by Order/

                                                SENIOR SUPEINTENDENT