Punjab

Sangrur

CC/361/2019

Rinkpal Pabbi - Complainant(s)

Versus

Punjab State Power Coporation Limited - Opp.Party(s)

Sh.K.C.Sharma

24 Jul 2023

ORDER

DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, SANGRUR .

 

 

                                                                        Complaint No. 361

 Instituted on:   22.07.2019

                                                                        Decided on:     24.07.2023

 

 

Rinkpal Pabbi son of Sukhdarshan Pal, resident of Preet Vihar, Dhuri, Tehsil Dhuri, District Sangrur.

                                                         …. Complainant 

                                                 Versus

1.             Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, The Mall, Patiala through its Chairman Cum Managing Director 147001.

2.             Sub Divisional Officer, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, City Sub Division, Dhuri 148024 Distt. Sangrur.

                                                        ..Opposite parties.

 

For the complainant    :       Shri K.C.Sharma, Adv.

For the OPs               :         Shri Neeraj Kalra, Adv.

 

Quorum                                           

Jot Naranjan Singh Gill, President

Sarita Garg, Member

                        Kanwaljeet Singh, Member

ORDER

SARITA GARG, MEMBER

1.             Complainant has preferred the present complaint against the opposite parties on the ground that complainant is a consumer of OPs by obtaining electricity connection bearing account number 30004687363 with one KW load. The grievance of the complainant is that OPs installed one defective meter at the premises of the complainant, as such the complainant challenged the accuracy of the same by depositing Rs.120/- on 4.10.2017 and accordingly the OPs replaced the meter, but he was never called in the ME laboratory at the time of checking of the defective meter. Thereafter Ops issued bill dated 25.5.2017 to 27.09.2017 for Rs.25,800/- which is said to be illegal one.  Though the complainant approached OPs so many times to rectify the bill, but all in vain. Thus, alleging  deficiency in service on the part of Ops, the complainant has prayed that the Ops be directed to withdraw the bill dated 27.9.2017 and further to pay compensation and litigation expenses.

2.             In reply filed by OPs, preliminary objections are taken up on the grounds that complaint is not maintainable, that the complainant has no cause of action to file the present complaint and that the complainant has concealed material facts from this Commission. On merits, it is admitted that the complainant is a consumer of the OPs by getting installed the electricity connection in question, however, it is stated that new domestic meter was installed  The bill sent by the OPs for Rs.25,800/- is quite genuine and as per rules. However, any deficiency in service on the part of the OPs has been denied.

3.             The learned counsel for the complainant has produced Ex.C-1 to Ex.C-9 copies of documents and affidavit and closed evidence. On the other hand, the learned counsel for OPs has produced Ex.OPs/1 to Ex.OPs/2 copies of documents and affidavit and closed evidence. 

4.             We have gone through the pleadings put in by  the parties along with their supporting documents with their valuable assistance. 

5.             At the outset, it is an admitted fact between the parties that the complainant is a consumer of OPs by getting installed an electric connection. Further it is also admitted that OPs issued bill in question for Rs.25,800/- to the complainant.

6.             The OPs have produced on record Ex.OP-1 copy of commercial circular number 21/2022 dated 3.8.2022 regarding waiving off the pending arrear as on 31.12.2021 of all domestic consumers. It is further mentioned in the circular that all such connections disconnected due to non payment of pending arrears as on 31.12.2021 will be reconnected by PSPCL on the request of consumer. The charges for reconnection of such disconnected connections i.e. charges as per Schedule of General Charges, Fixed Charges, any additional charges due to payment of bills etc. shall be compensated to PSPCL by Govt. of Punjab. It is further mentioned in the circular that this facility will be applicable to all such domestic consumers having/had connections for residential purpose only. So, it is clear that the dues of the complainant relates prior to 31.12.2021 meaning thereby the case of complainant falls within the waiver scheme of the OPs under circular number 21/2022 Ex.OPs/1. There is no explanation from the side of the OPs that why they did not waive off the bill Ex.C-8 in view of the above said circular of the OPs. Even the Ops did not choose to waive off the bill in question during the present proceedings. As such, we find it to be a clear cut case of deficiency in service on the part of the OPs by not waiving off the bill in question. 

7.             In view of our above discussion, we allow the complaint and direct OPs to waive off/withdraw the demand of Rs.25,800/- raised through bill Ex.C-8. We further direct OPs to pay to the complainant an amount of Rs.5000/- in lieu of consolidated amount of compensation and litigation expenses.  

8.             The complaint could not be decided within the statutory time period due to heavy pendency of cases.

9.             Copy of this order be supplied to the parties free of cost. File be consigned to the records after its due compliance. 

                        Pronounced.

 

                      July 24, 2023.