Punjab

Sangrur

CC/143/2019

Gurmeet Kaur - Complainant(s)

Versus

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

Sh.Gurpreet Singh Walia

23 Jan 2020

ORDER

DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM, SANGRUR      

                                                             

                                               

                                                                                           Complaint no.      143

                                                                                           Instituted on:  02.04.2019

                                                                                           Decided on:    23.01.2020

 

Gurmeet Kaur wife of Sh. Surinder Singh, resident of Village Binjoke Kalan, Tehsil Malerkotla, Distt. Sangrur.

           

                                                …. Complainant  

                                Versus

 

1.       Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, The Mall, Patiala through its MD.

2.       Asstt. Executive Engineer (SDO), PSPC Ltd. Sub Division (Rural), Chatta Chowk, Malerkotla, Distt. Sangrur.

                                          ..Opposite parties.

 

FOR THE COMPLAINANT            :         Shri  G.S. Walia, Advocate            

FOR THE OPP. PARTIES                 :         Exparte.                         

 

Quorum:   Shri Amrinder Singh Sidhu, President

      Ms.Vandana Sidhu, Member

                 Shri V.K.Gulati, Member

 

Order by : Shri Amrinder Singh Sidhu, President.

      

1.             Smt. Gurmeet Kaur,  complainant has preferred the present complaint against the opposite parties (referred to as OPs in short) on the ground that the complainant is  a consumer of the OPs of one domestic electric connection bearing account number L-36BK-380435L and the complainant has been exempted by the Punjab Govt. to pay the electricity charges being a below poverty line person. The complainant has been depositing all the electricity bills regularly and nothing is outstanding against her.  The grievance of the complainant is that the OPs sent an illegal bill dated 26.11.2018 wherein an amount of Rs.26,480/- has been demanded, but it has not been disclosed that on what account the amount has been demanded.  Though the complainant approached the OP number 2 and moved an application dated 26.4.2018 to withdraw the demand of Rs.26,480/-, 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 illegal demand of Rs.26,480/- raised in bill dated 26.11.2018 and further to pay compensation and litigation expenses.

2.             Record shows that the OPs did not appear despite service as such the Ops were proceeded against exparte.

3.             The complainant has tendered documents Ex.C-1 to Ex.C-5 and closed evidence.

4.             We have heard the arguments of the learned counsel for the complainant and have also perused the case file.

5.             The learned counsel for the complainant has contended vehemently that the complainant is  a consumer of the OPs of one domestic electric connection bearing account number L-36BK-380435L and the complainant has been exempted by the Punjab Govt. to pay the electricity charges being a below poverty line person. The complainant has been depositing all the electricity bills regularly and nothing is outstanding against her.  The grievance of the complainant is that the OPs sent an illegal bill dated 26.11.2018 Ex.C-1 wherein an amount of Rs.26,480/- has been demanded, but it has not been disclosed that on what account the amount has been demanded.  It is further contended by the learned counsel for the complainant that though the complainant approached  OP number 2 and moved an application dated 26.4.2018 to withdraw the demand of Rs.26,480/- a copy of which on record is Ex.C-3, but all in vain.   To support such a contention the complainant has produced on record an affidavit Ex.C-5.  In the present case, the Ops chose to remain exparte.  In the circumstances, we hold that the OPs have wrongly raised a demand of Rs.26,480/- without assigning any reason.

6.             As per sequel of the above discussion, we allow the complaint and direct the Ops to withdraw the demand of Rs.26,480/- raised vide bill dated 26.11.2018 and surcharge imposed upon it, if any, by OP. We further direct the Ops to pay to the complainant an amount of Rs.5000/- in lieu of litigation expenses.  This order be complied with within a period of 45 days of its communication.  A copy of the order be supplied to the parties free of charge. File be consigned to records in due course.                       

                Pronounced.

                January 23, 2020.

 

        (Vinod Kumar Gulati) (Vandana Sidhu) (Amrinder Singh Sidhu)

                 Member                   Member                 President