THE KERALA STATE  CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL  COMMISSION

VAZHUTHACAUD,  THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

APPEAL NO- 70/2014

JUDGMENT DATED. 12/02/2015l

PRESENT:-

            JUSTICE.  SRI. P.Q. BARKATH ALI  : PRESIDENT

            SRI. V.V.JOSE                                      : MEMBER

APPELLANT:

Sri. C.I.J. Tharakan,

Chirammel House,

Puthenpally, Varappuzha- 683517,

Kochi.     

      V/S

RESPONDENT:

                  Chief Engineer,

                  Kerala Water Authority,

                  Hospital Road,  Ernakulam,

                  Kochi- 682011

            (By Adv. George Mathew)        

JUDGMENT

JUSTICE . SRI. P.Q. BARKATH ALI: PRESIDENT

            This is an appeal filed by the Decree holder / Complainant in CC.13/2012 on the file of Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ernakulam challenging the order of the Forum dated December 5^th 2013 in EA- 37/2013.

                                                                                    (2)

The Decree holder filed EA. 37/2013 before the Forum to execute the order of this Commission in appeal 850/2012 dated January 31, 2013.  The operative portion of the said judgment  reads as follows.

            “In the result, this appeal is allowed and modified the result portion  of the order passed by the Forum below.  The opposite party is directed   to set  aside  the impugned bill issued by the opposite party   to the complainant for reasons stated and  also directed the opposite party shall issue a fresh bill to the  complainant  treating the consumption  of water as minimum for the  period from 23-03-2000 to 24-03-2002  without  any  interest  from 24-03-2000 within 30  days from  the date of receipt of the copy of the order.  The opposite parties are directed to adjust the amount of Rs.15,117/- and interest @ 2 % from 21-08-1995 towards the amount  due from  the complainant to the opposite party.  If any balance of amount is seen more than this  amount of Rs. 15,117/-   it shall liable to pay to the complainant.  The opposite party  is also directed to pay a cost of Rs. 1000/- to the appellant / complainant.  This appeal is disposed accordingly”.

            The  Decree holder contended before the Forum that   the interest awarded by this Commission is 2 % per month while the judgment debtor would  content that  it is  2 % per annum.  Forum directed the Decree holder to pay interest to 2 % per annum.  Complainant  has now come up in appeal complainant challenging  the said order  of the  Forum.

                                                                              (3)

Heard the appellant/ Complainant who appeared in person and  the counsel for respondent.

            The only question which arises for consideration is whether the appellant is entitled to interest at the rate of 2% per month.

            On going  through the judgment  dated. 31/01/2013 of this  Commission in Appeal . 850/2012 we are of the view that interest award was only 2 % per annum.  There is nothing  to indicate that interest awarded was 2% per month.  Therefore we confirm the finding of the Forum that complainant  is entitled  to interest only rate of 2 % per annum.  The opposite party has deposited  Rs. 18,158 before the Forum.  We find no merit in this appeal and the same has to  be dismissed.

            In the result appeal is dismissed.  The amount deposited by the  opposite  party before the Forum shall be released to the complainant.            

                                     JUSTICE.  P.Q. BARKATH ALI  : PRESIDENT   

                                     V.V.JOSE                                     : MEMBER