IN THE DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM, MURSHIDABAD AT BERHAMPORE.
Case no. CC/161/2016
Date of filing: 15-11-2016 Date of disposal: 21-09-2017
Complainant – Sri Tara Kinkar Dey, S/o, Late Prodyot Kr. Dey, Vill PO – Malihati,
PS – Salar, District – Murshidabad, Pin Code – 742401, West Bengal.
VS.
- The Station Manager, WBSEDCL,
Office of the Station Manager, Salar CCC, PO PS Salar,
District – Murshidabad, Pin Code – 742401 – Opposite Party.
Present : Sri Anupam Bhattacharyya, - President
Smt. Chandrima Chakraborty - Member
Sri Manas Kumar Mukherjee – Member
FINAL ORDER
Sri Manas Kumar Mukherjee, Presiding Member.
This case has been filed by the complainant U/S 12 of C P Act’1986, praying for reconnection of power supply, reconsideration of disputed bill and payment of compensation.
The case of the complainant, in brief, is that, complainant is a consumer of electricity, distributed by WBSEDCL, Salar Power Supply office, bearing Consumer ID – 313154327 (Domestic category) and meter no. T2009299. The installed meter, as alleged by the complainant, became out of order and the complainant reported the matter to the OP, for necessary rectification of the meter, but in vain. He also submitted an application to the OP for changing the meter, on 14-07-2015, but no steps were taken by the OP. Subsequently the OP disconnected the electricity line of the complainant.
As alleged by the complainant, although the OP did not change the defective meter, it went on sending tri monthly bills, to the Consumer / Complainant, mentioning imaginary meter reading. As informed by the complainant, as per connected load and consumption of electricity by the complainant, his consumption of electricity, never exceeded 275 units, in 3 months (tri monthly).
The complainant, received a tri monthly bill, from the OP, for the months of July’2016 to September’2016, wherein, a consumption of electricity of 909 units, by the complainant, was shown, by the OP, which seemed to be absurd, to the complainant. The complainant informed the matter to the OP, for necessary reconsideration of the bill, through his application dated 30-07-2016 and also reminded the OP for changing his defective meter, but in vain.
That the OP, inspite of repeated reminders, remained absent, throughout the tenure of the case, hence the case was heard, ex-parte, against the OP.
Upon pleading of the complainant, the following point has been raised, for disposal of the complaint.
Points to be considered
- Whether the complainant is entitled to get relief / relieves, as prayed for.
Decisions with reasons
To prove the case, the complainant adduced, affidavit – in Chief, alongwith other requisite materials.The OP remained absent, throughout the tenure of the case and hence the case was heard, ex-parte, against the OP.
It is observed, that although the complainant, informed the OP, to rectify his meter, the OP did not pay any attention to his request, but kept on sending, tri monthly bills. It is also observed from the bills, submitted by the complainant, that his average tri monthly consumption of electricity never exceeded 275 units. Considering these and other relevant points, this Forum, passed an interim order, bearing no.3 dated 17-11-2016 U/s 13(3B) of CP Act, 1986, instructing the OP, for restoration of electric line of the complainant.
Hence,
ORDERED
That the Consumer Complaint no. 161/2016, is hereby allowed in part, instructing the OP to review and reconsider, the disputed bill in question, by utilizing slab benefit process / method, within 30 days, from the date of receipt of this order, in default, the OP will have to pay a fine of Rs. 50/- per day’s delay and the amount, so accumulated, shall be deposited in the Consumer Legal Aid account.
The OP is further instructed to accept payment of bills, towards consumption of electricity by the complainant, after the period on and from October’2016, till now, in 05 (five) equal monthly installments.
Let a copy of this order be made available and be supplied free of cost to each of the parties, on contest, by hand, under proper acknowledgement / be sent, forthwith, under ordinary post, to the concerned parties, as per rules, for information and necessary action.
( MEMBER )(MEMBER)( PRESIDENT )
