04/01/2011.

ORDER

By Smt.Rajani.P.S., Member

            The complainant’s case is as follows:  The complainant is a minor and represented by father. The complainant is a student and the 1^st respondent is her close relative.  The complainant and her 3 friends are residing in the building No.7/200/1 owned by the 1^st respondent for their  convenience to study and paying rent for the same.  The electricity connection No.1138AA to the said building is under IA tariff.  The 1^st respondent is not residing in the said building and the complainant is using the same  now.  On 30/5/2005 the 2^nd respondent issued a bill dated 30/5/2005  for Rs.2,813/- due to change of tariff to VI-B.  The complainant was forced to remit the said amount in the 2^nd respondent office.  Subsequently she received a notice stating  while inspection of the building they came to know that some others are residing there as paying guests along with the family members.  Hence the tariff is changed to VI-B and Rs.5250/- is to be paid within 7 days or otherwise they will  disconnect the supply.  The complainant never accommodated paying guests in the building  and by stating this reason the 2^nd respondent  have no right to change the tariff.  Hence the complaint.

          2. The respondents are called absent and set exparte.

          3. To prove the case of the complainant she filed an affidavit and produced Exhibits P1 to  P4 documents.

          4. According to the complainant  she and her three friends are residing in the Building No.7/200/1 for rent owned by the 1^st  respondent.  She is staying in the above said building for her convenience to study.  The electric connection to this building was under IA tariff.  But on 30/5/2005,  the respondents issued a bill for Rs.2,813/- under VI-B tariff.  The complainant had paid the said bill amount under protest.  Subsequently the respondents issued a notice dated 14/7/2005 sating the change of tariff.  The reason for change of tariff stated in this notice was that the house owners were accommodating paying guests.  The complainant never accommodated paying guests in the building and hence the respondents have no right to change the tariff.

          5. There is no evidence to the contrary.

          6. In the result the complaint is allowed and the Exhibit P3 notice is set aside. The respondents are directed to return Rs.2,813/- and also to issue further bills under IA tariff within one  month from the date of receipt of copy of order.

          Dictated to the Confdl. Asst., transcribed by her, corrected by me and pronounced in the open Forum this the 4th day of January 2011.

                                                                             Sd/-

                                                                                    Rajani.P.S., Member                         

                                                                                                Sd/-                                                                                                              Padmini Sudheesh, President

                                                                             Sd/-                                                                                                   M.S.Sasidharan, Member

                                       Appendix

Complainant’s Exhibits

Ext. P1 Bill dtd. 27/1/05

Ext. P2 Bill dtd. 30/5/05

Ext. P3 Notice No.EW1 1556/05

Ext. P4 Licence karar

                                                                             Id/-

                                                                                         Member