Present (1) Nisha Nath Ojha,
District & Sessions Judge (Retd.) President
(2) Smt. Karishma Mandal,
Member
Date of Order : 30.10.2017
Nisha Nath Ojha
- In the instant case the Complainant has sought for following reliefs against the Opposite parties:-
- To direct the opposite parties to rectify the excess bill of Rs. 1,11,561/- and fixation of the energy charge for Rs. 125/- as earlier fixed as well as excess charged bill earlier should be either refunded or adjusted in later bill.
- To direct the opposite parties to pay Rs. 90,000/- ( Rs. Ninety Thousand only ) as compensation.
- To direct the opposite parties to pay Rs. 10,000/- ( Rs. Ten Thousand only ) as litigation costs.
- The facts of this case lies in a narrow compass which is as follows:-
The complainant has asserted that he is a poor tempo driver and living in a room approximately having area of 20x7 and using 1 CFL bulb ( 27 wat), and a fan ( 60 wat) and a T.V. ( 80 wat) and as such the total consumption of electricity energy is about 167 wat. His meter was fixed as Rs. 125/- per month despite that he has been charged as Rs. 454/- for October 2012 and Rs. 395/- for January 2013. His earlier bills were also charged excessively despite the fix charge of Rs. 125/- per month as will appear from annexure – A.
It is further case of the complainant that new electric meter was installed on 20.01.2013 and thereafter the bill of Rs. 1,11,561/- was provided to the complainant on 13.06.2013 as will appear from annexure – B. Thereafter, the complainant approached the office of the electricity department for rectification and the bill was reduced to Rs. 73,770/- while the complainant is utilizing only 167 wats. The complainant thereafter filed written complaint to the authority stating his grievance but nothing happened. Thereafter the complainant has filed this complaint petition.
On behalf of opposite parties a written statement has been filed denying the allegation of the complainant. In Para – 6, 7 and 8 of the written statement following facts have been stated, “that the complainant had paid MMG/average units ( 125 units) bill during the period from July 2005 to December 2012. The old meter was replaced on 20.01.2013. the difference unit of old meter had charged in the month of January 2013. The paid units has already been adjusted in the Consumer’s Accounts.”
“that the new electronic meter was replaced on 20.01.2013. the final reading of old meter was 21802 units but the complainant had paid only 125 units per month from July 2005 to December 2012 ( 125 unit x 91 months = 11375 units ).’
That it is stated that the difference units (21802 – 11375 = 10427 units) had charged in the month of January 2013 after bifurcation of units in that period i.e. 222 units per month in which 125 units per month Consumer has already deposited. Thus, the difference units after bifurcation 97 units per months had charged.”
It has been also stated that the DPS amount of Rs. 26,126/- and previous deposited amount has already been adjusted and after rectification the bill amount of Rs. 47,630/- has been adjusted in total amount of bill and the bill of rest amount of Rs. 63,769/- has been served on the complainant.
No any rejoinder has been filed by the complainant of the aforementioned written statement.
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The fact asserted by both the sides have been narrated in forgoing paragraphs.
The opposite parties have given the detail of the amount which is to be charged from the complainant. They have also given breakup amount and the reason for charging from the complainant.
It is not possible for us to disbelieve the reason of charging the aforesaid amount in absence of any cogent evidence as such we find no merit in this case at present. However, it will be open for the complainant to show that the manner of charging the bill as stated in the written statement is faulty by appropriate calculation and cogent evidence and if such application is filed by the complainant then the opposite parties are directed to pass appropriate order with full reason within the period of two months from the date of filing of representation by the complainant, if any.
With the aforementioned direction this complaint petition stands disposed of.
Member President
