SMT. N. SHAJITHA BEEVI (MEMBER)

           Sri. Aravindakshan  has filed this complaint before the Forum alleging deficiency in  service on the part of the  opposite parties – Kerala Water Authority, Alappuzha.  The brief statement of the contentions are as follows:-     The complainant  is a  consumer  of opposite party having Consumer No.AMB/315/D.    He remitted   Rs.1016/-   on 17.2.2003 as domestic water charge up to February, 2003 and on the same day he given an application before the opposite party stating that he intending to start a Restaurant attached to his house and requested to change the domestic  water connection to non domestic.     But without  getting   any  intimation from the opposite  party.    The complainant received a bill dated 17.7.2003 from the opposite party stating that an amount of Rs.7,773/- is to be remitted within 7 days.  Complainant contacted the opposite party and challenged the illegal act of the opposite party.  Thereafter another exorbitant  bill dated 13.2.2004 issued by the opposite party for an amount of Rs.22,401/-. Hence this complaint.    
               2.  Notice was issued to the opposite party.  The opposite party had filed vakalath and filed version with untenable contentions.  In the version of the opposite party stating that  complainant  is legally bound to remit the bill amount.  
            3.  Considering the contentions of the complainant and  opposite party, this Forum has raised the following issues:-

(1)   Whether there is any deficiency in service  on the part of the opposite

(2)    Compensation and costs.
           

 4.  Issue              4.  Issues  (1) and (2):-   On the part of the complainant  he has examined as PW1 and filed  proof affidavit and produced documents – Exts.A1 to A9 – marked and the complainant was cross examined by the opposite party.   Ext.A1 is the receipt for Rs.1016/-, Ext.A2 is the copy of the letter dated 17.2.2003, Ext.A3 is the consumer bill dated 31.7.2003 for Rs.7553/-, Ext.A4 is the notice dated 30.9.2003, Ext.A5 is the copy of the letter dated  22.10.2003, Ext.A6 is the postal receipt,   Ext.A7 is the consumer bill dated 28.2.2004 for Rs.22,507/-, Ext.A8 is the copy of the letter dated 13.4.2004 and Ext.A9 is the postal receipt. 

On the s             5.  On the side of the opposite party, they have filed proof affidavit and the executive engineer was examined as RW1 and  documents – Exts.B1 to B3 – marked.  Ext.B1 is the true copy of the statement (2 sheets), Ext.B2 is the true copy of the meter reader’s hand book and Ext.B3 is the consumer ledger of water authority.  

e party                       6.  In  the  proof  affidavit,    the  complainant  has  stated  that  before  the  issuance of the  said  bill  dated  17.7.2003  complainant   remitted   full   amount  up  to  17.2.2003. But in this connection it is to be noted that the opposite party has not  filed any   document or  any  statement   before  this    Forum  denying  the  statement  of   the  complainant.       So there  is  no  reason  to   disbelieve   the complainant  and  his  statement  and  documents.    The   present  bill   for  arrear  is without  any  previous  notice  regarding  the arrears  and details of the consumption  of   water and  other details  will not stand in any way.     So the  action   of   the  opposite party  is  highly   unfair   illegal  arbitrary  and  it  will  come within   the   purview   of   deficiency   in   service   on  the part of the  opposite party, complainant is entitled to get compensation and costs also.   So the issues are found in  favour of the complainant   . 
              In  the  result,  we  are of the strong view that the complaint is to be allowed.    Hence  we hereby   direct  the  opposite party    to   withdraw    the exorbitant  bill dated  13.02.2004    for  an  amount  of  Rs.22,401/-  issued  to  the complainant immediately.      Since  the complainant is not liable to  remit  any amount to  the opposite  party by way of water charges.     We  further   direct   the opposite  party  to pay a sum of Rs.1000/- (Rupees one thousand only) as compensation to  the complainant for his mental agony,  inconvenience and  deficiency in service  on the    part   of  the opposite  party  together with a cost of Rs.500/- (Rupees five hundred only)  for  this proceedings.    We further  direct the  opposite   party  to  comply with  this  order   within  one  month  from the   receipt of  this order.
                  Complaint allowed.