Complainant Amrik Singh Bedi has filed the present complaint against the opposite parties U/S 12 of the Consumer Protection Act (for short, C.P.Act.) seeking necessary directions to the opposite parties to  refund the amount of Rs.16,360/-, which he has deposited under compulsion. Opposite parties be also directed to pay Rs.50,000/- as compensation for mental harassment suffered by him alongwith Rs.10,000/- as litigation expenses, in the interest of justice.

2.       The case of the complainant in brief is that he has got installed an electric temporary electric connection bearing Account No.3000324426 on 17.12.2013 to construct a house on the Plot No.134 and is continuously paying the electricity bills.  On 11.7.2014, suddenly his electric meter was burnt on account of High Voltage. He moved an application to the opposite party no.4 with the request to change the electric meter, but the opposite parties stated that if he wants to get install the new electric meter, then he will have to pay Rs.12,060/- with the opposite parties. Opposite party no.4 has marked the application to the R.A., who after gone through the matter in hand asked him to deposit ½ share out of the aforementioned amount and also allured him that they will redress his grievance.  The opposite parties did not agree to deposit ½ amount, so complainant deposited the total amount of Rs.16,360/- under compulsion with the opposite parties. This demand of the opposite parties is illegal, null and void, arbitrary, cryptic and against the natural justice. Hence this complaint.

3.       Notice of the complaint was issued to the opposite parties who appeared through their counsel and filed their written reply stating therein that the complainant applied for the temporary connection and the connection is still continuing in the name of complainant. On the request of complainant, S.Amarjit Singh Bajwa JE reported that the meter of the complainant was burnt. On the basis of report bill of Rs.12,060/- has been demanded for a period from 14.5.2014 to 11.7.2014 for 59 days by taking average units of 944. As there is no consumption in the previous year for the same month due to which the demand has been demanded on the basis of LDHF formula and average has been sent. After that the complainant gave application dated 18.7.2014 and on his application the next bill from 14.5.2014 to 21.7.2014 for 68 days of 1283 units has been issued. The amount of Rs.16,360/- has been deposited and after that on 5.8.2014 the new meter has been installed. So the demand made by the opposite party is legal and valid. All other averments made in the complaint have been vehemently denied and prayed for dismissal of the complaint.

4.     Counsel for the complainant tendered into evidence affidavit of complainant Ex.C1, alongwith other documents Ex.C3 to Ex.C6 and closed the evidence.  

5.       Counsel for the opposite parties tendered into evidence affidavit of H.S.Gill S.D.O. PSPCL Ex.OP-1, alongwith other documents Ex.OP2 & Ex.OP3 and closed the evidence.

6.       We have carefully gone through the pleadings of both the parties; arguments advanced by their respective counsels and have also appreciated the evidence produced on record with the valuable assistance of the learned counsels for the purposes of adjudication of the present complaint.

7.       From the pleadings and evidence brought on record, it is clear that the complainant is the holder of Temporary electric connection bearing No.3000324426 as such, is a consumer of the opposite parties. We find that on the request of complainant, Amarjit Singh Bajwa J.E of the opposite parties reported that the meter of the complainant is burnt. The opposite parties demanded Rs.12,060/- for the period from 14.5.2014 to 11.7.2014 on the basis of LDHF formula as there was no consumption in the previous year for the same month. We further find that the complainant has deposited the impugned amount on 5.8.2014 and even a new meter has also been installed. And as such we find that the demand raised by the opposite parties is legal and valid and there is no deficiency in service on the part of the opposite parties. Hence, the present complaint is dismissed being without any merits.

8.       Copy of the order be communicated to the parties free of charges. File is ordered to be consigned to the record room.             

                                                                   (Naveen Puri)

                                                                        President

ANNOUNCED:               (G.B.S.Bhullar)                           (Jagdeep Kaur)

February 12 2015.                      Member                                             Member.

*MK*