DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM, JHARSUGUDA
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CASE NO. 80 OF 2015
Binay Bhusan Bohidar ( 62 Years),
S/O: Late Radheshyam Bohidar,
R/O: Lecturer Colony, Near District Collectorate Office,
Beheramal,Jharsuguda, PS/ Dist- Jharsuguda, Odisha………….….…..……. Complainant.
Versus
- The Executive Engineer, Electrical WESCO,
At: Beheramal,Jharsuguda, Odisha.
- The Sub-Divisional Officer, (Electrical),WESCO,
Kacheri Road, Jharsuguda, Odisha............................................ Opp. Parties.
Counsel for the Parties:-
For the Complainant Shri P.R.Singhdeo,Adv. & Associates.
For the Opp. Parties Shri B.B. Barai, Adv. & Associates.
Date of Order: 23.08.2016
Present
1. Shri S.L Behera, President.
2. Shri S.K. Ojha, Member.
Shri S. L. Behera, President :- The complainant’s case in brief is that, the father of the complainant was having an electrical connection bearing consumer No. 413123030132. After death of complainant’s father, the complainant / beneficiary was discharging his responsibility of the said electricity connection. The complainant informed about his defected meter which was replaced by the O.Ps. but the arrear bill amounts were not corrected in spite of several requests. The complainant paid the bill amounts time to time but the O.Ps. did not rectify the old arrear amounts and served disconnection notice by claiming Rs.72,180/- only illegally, hence this case.
Being noticed, the O.Ps. appeared and filed written version through their counsel. The O.Ps. denied all the allegations imposed by the complainant except the fact of consumer number of the complainant. The O.Ps. submitted that the complainant was not paying the electricity bills regularly, so also the arrear bills. The defective meter was replaced in November,2010 and since then the bills were issued as per actual meter reading. By non-payment of arrear bills the dues accumulated to Rs.72,180/- only up to 06/2015 and Rs.83,516/- up to 10/2015. After availing of one time settlement rebate the complainant has paid Rs.33,869/- only for old arrear up to October,2011. The complainant is not taking any interest to clear his dues amount for which the O.Ps prayed for dismissal of the case.
Heard the matter in length from both the parties, gone through the case and materials available on record. After the death of his father the complainant discharging the responsibility of his said electrical connection bearing consumer No. 413123030132 as a beneficiary. The complainant has availed the facility of one time settlement and cleared the dues up to October,2011 but since then he was paying the bills amount time to time as per his suitability. The O.Ps. have installed new meter in November,2010 and the complainant has cleared the arrear dues up to October,2011 which reveals that the electrical meter is in good running condition. The O.Ps. were issuing the bills as per actual meter reading which the complainant is also liable to pay the same.
However the complainant is entitled to pay the dues amount but that should be legitimate to him. Hence, we are in considered opinion to allow partly the complaint petition directing the O.Ps. to issue afresh electricity bill to the complainant and the complainant is advised to pay the same accordingly.
Accordingly the case is disposed of.
Order pronounced in the open court today on this the 23rd day of August’ 2016, copy of this order shall be communicated to the parties as per rule.
I Agree.
S.K.Ojha, Member S. L. Behera, President
Dictated and corrected by me
S. L. Behera, President
