IN THE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM, ALAPPUZHA

Wednesday the 31^st day of January, 2018

Filed on 20.02.2017

  Present

1. Smt. Elizabeth George (President)

2.  Sri. Antony Xavier (Member)

3. Smt. Jasmine. D. (Member)                          

In

CC/No. 55/2017

between

Complainant:-                                                                                   Opposite parties:- 

Sri. Jacob Mathew                                                                  1.         The Executive Engineer

S/o Late Mathew                                                                                Kerala Water Authority

Peediyekkal Parambu                                                                          Alappuzha

Stadium Ward, Alappuzha                                                    

2. The Asst. Executive Engineer

Kerala Water Authority

Alappuzha

(By Adv. Joseph Mathew)     

O R D E R

SMT. ELIZABETH GEORGE (PRESIDENT)

           The case of the complainant is as follows:-

The complainant is doing business in the shop room No.552/26.  There is no need of water in doing the business, so he is not using the water connection in the said building.  But the opposite party issued a bill demanding huge amount towards arrears.  The demand notice is not legally sustainable.  Alleging deficiency in service on the part of the opposite party the complaint is filed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           2.  Notice issued against the opposite party served and when opposite party appeared before the Forum they were directed to inspect the premises and take meter reading.  Accordingly the opposite party submitted a report stating that the meter reading shows complainant used 994 kl. water.  Thereafter opposite party installed a new meter and produced a statement after one month stating that complainant is using minimum water.  It is pertinent to see that there is no document produced by the complainant to show that the opposite party has taken meter reading bimonthly and issuing any bills to the complainant.  At the same time opposite party produced some documents and claimed that they have issued those bills to the complainant.  On verifying those bills we find that the columns in the bill which relate to the reading are kept blank.  Had the opposite party taken meter reading continuously they should have mention the meter reading under the column shown in the bill.  So we are of opinion that those bills produced by the opposite party are not reliable documents.   During the trial stage, the opposite party is willing to settle the matter, complainant is also ready to settle the matter.  Opposite party produced a statement before the Forum showing that dues up to 12/2017 is Rs.17,203/- and the interest for the said amount is 10,145/-.  Complainant is willing to remit Rs.17,203/- towards the settlement amount. Opposite party accepted that suggestion. 

             In view of the above settlement complaint disposed off as settled, with direction to the complainant to remit Rs.17,203/- in 3 installments within 3 months from the date of receipt of this order.  The complainant is also directed to remit the water charges after December, 2017 as per the meter reading.   

Dictated to the Confidential Assistant transcribed by him corrected by me and pronounced in open Forum on this the 31^st day of  January, 2018.

  Sd/- Smt. Elizabeth George (President)

  Sd/- Sri. Antony Xavier (Member)

  Sd/- Smt. Jasmine. D. (Member)

Appendix:-  Nil

// True Copy //

By Order

  Senior Superintendent

To                                                                                                       

       Complainant/Opposite parties/S.F                                  

Typed by:- Br/-

 Compared by:-