By Sri. M.S. Sasidharan, Member:
The complainant is a consumer of the respondents vide electricity connection No.2022/LT VIC B7. A post office is functioning at this scheduled property. The respondents issued a notice dt. 28.2.2008 demanding to pay Rs.21,420/- on or before 29.2.2009 for short assessment of electricity charges since 2002. Even though the complainant approached the 3rd respondent no satisfactory explanation was given but compelled to remit the amount. The scheduled room is a post office and electricity is being used only very limited. The bills issued are remitted and there is no arrears. The bill issued is an illegal one. Hence the complaint filed.
2. In the counter filed the respondents have stated that in the inspection conducted by the Regional Audit Officer on 9/2007 it was found that instead of charging fixed charge for 3 KW only charges for 1 KW was charged from 12/02 to 2/08. Following this a short assessment bill for Rs.21,420/- dt. 22.2.08 was given. The short assessment bill was issued for the energy charges due for KSEB. If the complainant does not need the connected load at the time of availing the connection he can reduce it as per rules. The complainant is liable to pay the amount as per the short assessment bill. Hence dismiss the complaint.
3. The points for consideration are:
(1) Is the complainant liable to pay the amount as per Ext. P1 bill?
(2) Other reliefs and costs.
4. The evidence consists of the oral testimony by the PW1, Exts. P1 to P3 and Exts. R1 to R3.
5. Points: The complaint is filed against the Ext. P1 bill. The complainant claims that it is an illegal one. He has stated that the scheduled room is a Sub Post Office and only limited energy is using there. The electricity bills are remitted regularly. So there is no chance for short assessment. On the other side the respondents have stated that in the inspection conducted by the Regional Audit Officer it was found that fixed charges for 1 KW was charged from 12/02 to 2/2008 instead of charging fixed charge for 3 KW. In order to make good the loss the Ext.P1 short assessment bill is issued. Fixed charge was fixed on the basis of the equipments connected at the time of availing the electric connection. Since the Ext. P1 bill is issued for the electricity consumed by the complainant he is liable to pay the bill. Ext. P1 is the disputed bill. The details of calculating the amount is stated in it. The reason for demanding the amount is also stated in Ext. P2 notice. The complainant is examined as PW1. PW1 has admitted that the connected load found at the time of inspection was 2560 watts and he did not know that the bills had to be issued for 3 KWs and it had been billed for 1 KW. Since he has admitted the registered connected load the complainant is liable to pay the Ext. P1 bill amount.
6. In the result the complaint stands dismissed.
Dictated to the Confidential Assistant, transcribed by her, corrected by me and pronounced in the open Forum this the 11th day of June 2012.
