ORDER BY HON’BLE PRESIDENT- MR. P.K. PADHI:
JUDGMENT
Complainant has filed this consumer complaint U/s.12 of C.P. Act, 1986 seeking following reliefs;
“Direct the opposite parties to revise the arbitrary bill (disconnection notice dt.30.12.2016) and pay Rs.5,000/- towards mental agony, Rs.5,000/- towards cost of litigation and also Rs.20,000/- towards compensation”.
The brief fact of the case is that, since the connection of electric line bill was calculated on average basis. When the complainant transferred the connection to his name at that time 1.5 KW bill was given to him though the complainant do not consume 1.5 KW current. In the month of July, 2012 opposite parties installed a meter in the premises of the complainant and after installation of meter only Rs.100/- to Rs.110/- bill was supplied to the complainant and the complainant regularly pays the dues to the opposite parties but the opposite parties supplies the bills demanding arrear bills. The complainant received one notice on 02.01.2017 issued by the opposite party No.1 demanding Rs.44,132.63 paisa as outstanding to pay failing which they will disconnect the electric line.
The opposite party No.2 filed written version stating as under;
At the time of electric connection there was an agreement in between complainant’s grand-father and the opposite party and in view of such agreement it was up to knowledge of consumer regarding load factor of 1.5 KW. Since the time of connection no meter was available with the opposite party nor the consumer could supply a meter and the billing was started on average basis on the basis of load factor. A meter was installed in the month of July, 2012 and as per meter reading the billing was generated on actual basis. The ledger abstract of CESU shows arrear was Rs.3,765.40 paisa prior to super cyclone in the year 1999. However the opposite parties have already revised the arrear dues of the complainant and in view of such revision a sum of Rs.44,978.45 paisa is credited to the complainant account on 27.6.2017.
This case was heard and order was reserved by our predecessors on 10.8.2018 but order was not pronounced. Fresh notice to complainant was issued on 23.5.2023 but none appeared on several occasion and we have gone through the records and found that dispute between the parties mainly relates to accounts. Meter was installed in July, 2012 and the consumer complaint was filed on 06.02.2017. Both the parties are absent.
Taking into consideration of the case of both parties we dispose of the consumer complaint directing complainant to make an exhausting representation to opposite parties regarding his grievance and the opposite parties are directed to consider the case sympathetically and fix the due amount to be paid in easy installments to be paid along with regular bill and complainant if so desires may install a new meter and verify his load factor on payment of required fees. With the aforesaid observation and direction the consumer complaint is disposed of. No cost.
Pronounced in the open Commission on this 19th October,2023.
