MR LAXMI NARAYAN PADHI, PRESIDENT…           The substance of case is that, the Complainant is consumer under the OP.s bearing consumer No. D-13-289, New No.712101050057 since Sept'2005 and being a State Govt employee a quarter has been allotted in his name at Block colony, Nabarangpur. As per instruction of OP.s for electric connection the complainant deposited Rs.1360/- on dt.30.09.05 and the then, the quarter was in the name of one Sri Nirmal Ch. Haldar, Ex J.E and prior to regular complain by the complainant the OP.s issued electric bills in the name of Mr Haldar instead the name of complainant till 18.09.2014. In the meanwhile a new tested meter was installed on dt.20.07.13 in the quarter by the cost of complainant and the complainant was paying regular bills but on dt.17.01.14 the complainant received a bill for the month of Dec'13 in the name of Nirmal Ch. Haldar for an amount of Rs.1657/- where in mentioned arrear amount of Rs.3445.61 for which the complainant approached the OP.s to resolve the problem but in result the OP.s sent a disconnection notice to the complainant on dt.18.12.15, hence he sustained mental agony and irreparable losses, so he prayed to allow Rs.1,50,000/- as compensation, Rs.5,000/- as cost of litigation for deficiency in service by the OP.s.

2.         The A/A for OP.s filed his counter and stated that, though the bills were issued in the name of previous consumer but in receipt of complain from the complainant the OP.s changed the name in the month of Aug'14. He contends that, Rs.3445.61 is in deferred account, the current bill shows Rs.-(minus) 1657/-, but actually the bill was Rs.1793/-. There is no deficiency in service by the OP.s, hence he prays to dismiss the case with cost.

3.         The counsel for both the parties has filed copy of certain documents and heard the case at length. The submissions considered.

4.         It reveals from the record that, the complainant in his quarter had installed a new meter on dt.20.07.13 with well testing but on the evening dt.04.06.14 due to lightning and heavy rain and frequent interrupted power supply with high voltage, the display of the meter got damaged, hence he approached the OP.s through letter dt.05.06.14 for immediate replacement the meter, as the meter had no sufficient period of warranty, but the OP.s paid no heed to his complaint but despite repeated approaches, they awaited the complainant till 18.09.2014. Prior to approaches by the complainant, the OP.s instead of solving the problems, issued disconnection notice on 18.12.2015 which is arbitrary, and shows highhanded on the part of OP.s.

5.         From the whole transaction we found deficiency in service on the part of OP.s. Due to such illegal action of OP.s the complainant harassed and inflicted mental agony and monetary losses. Hence the OP.s found guilty of deficiency in service and hence the complainant is entitled for relief.

                                                                        ORDER

i.          The OP.s are severally and collaterally here by directed to pay Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five thousand) as compensation which includes cost of the litigation to the complainant or adjust the same in the subsequent future bills of the complainant.

iii.       All the above directions shall be complied with in 30 days of this order, failing which, the total sum will carry 12% interest per annum till its realization. Pronounced on 30th day of June' 2016.

                          Sd/-                                                        Sd/-

                    MEMBER                                      PRESIDENT, DCDRF,

                                                                               NABARANGPUR.