DATE OF FILING : 17-11-2011.
DATE OF S/R : 16-01-2012.
DATE OF FINAL ORDER : 10-05-2012.
Smt. Ramlila Devi,
W/o Raj Kumar Singh,
residing at 30/1, Pilkhana 2nd Bye Lane,
and C/o. Tahir Sk. 57, Nanda Ghosh Road,
both P.S. Golabari, District – Howrah,
PIN – 711101. COMPLAINANT.
Versus -
1. The CESC Limited,
having its office
at CESC House, 1, Chowringhee Square,
Kolkata – 700001.
2. District Engineer,
CESC Limited, Howrah Regional Office,
of 433/1, G.T. Road ( North ), P.S. Golabari,
District – Howrah,
PIN – 711101.
3. Smt. Mina Varma,
wife of Sri Bhola Varma,
of 15, Sambhu Haldar Lane, P.S. M.P. Ghora,
District – Howrah,
PIN – 711106.
4. Sri Binod Varma,
son of Sri Raju Varma, of 30/1, Pilkhana 2nd Lane,
P.S. Golabari,Howrah– 711101.
5. Sri Bhola Varma,
son of late Gaya Prasad Varma,
of 15, Sambhu Haldar Lane, P.S. M.P. Ghora,
District – Howrah,
PIN – 711106. OPPOSITE PARTIES
P R E S E N T
President : Shri T.K. Bhattacharya, M.A, LL.B, WBHJS.
Member : Shri P. K. Chatterjee.
F I N A L O R D E R
1. The complaint case ( HDF 96 of 2011 ) was filed by the complainant U/S
12 the C.P. Act, 1986, against the O.Ps. alleging deficiency in service wherein the complainant has prayed for direction upon the o.p. nos. 1 and 2 CESC Authority for immediate installation of the new meter at the premises mentioned in the schedule along with other relies.
2. The complainant applied for electric supply through separate meter at the existing meter board position for her occupied portion in the 4th floor at 30/1, Pilkhana 2nd Bye Lane, District – Howrah, on 14-02-2011 with consent of the landlord. Inspection was carried out by CESC Authority on 26-02-2012 and the MASD Bill was paid. But on 01-03-2011 CESC Ltd. claimed some outstanding dues from the owners ( 20 nos. ) of premises who applied for separate service from the CESC Ltd. jointly. The said amount being Rs. 10,000/- was paid on 07-03-2011 and revised offer letter dated 10-03-2011 with revised MASD Bill of Rs. 830/- was sent on 10-03-2011 and the same was paid by the complainant on 14-03-2011.
3. The O.P. no. 3 , 4 and 5 in spite of receipt of the summons did not turn up. So the case is heard ex parte against O.P. nos. 3 to 5.
4. The O.P. nos. 1 and 2, CESC Authority in filing written version admitted the fact of the prayer for new meter, payments of the MASD Bill, the company failed to fix the meter as access to the meter board position was not available and no meter pillar box was installed. On 06-01-2012 the O.P. nos. 1 and 2 again tried to install the meter pillar box at the stated address but could not do so for objection raised by O.Ps. and their associates.
5. Upon pleadings of both parties two points arose for determination.
Is there any deficiency in service on the part of the O.Ps. ?
Whether the complainant is entitled to get any relief as prayed for ?
DECISION WITH REASONS :
6. Both the points are taken up together for consideration. In view of the submission of the ld. Lawyer for the O.P. nos. 1 and 2 the positive approach of the CESC Authority is reflected. They have no objection in installation of the new meter if there is no resistance on the part of the 3rd party. The company is willing to give supply but the same has to be done through meter pillar box to be installed in a common portion by the CESC Ltd. This important part of installation could not be achieved due to objection from the landlord’s side. The company lodged F.I.R. on 06-01-2012 with the Golabari P.S. when their final attempt to install pillar box was frustrated by the O.Ps. and their associates.
7. We learn that the building is a multi-storied one and CESC Ltd. has to provide separate supply for each occupant which is more than 20 numbers. Naturally such supply through separate meter can only be obtained if a meter pillar box is installed. It is the duty of the complainant to provide a suitable place to the satisfaction of the o.ps. no. 1 and 2 to facilitate supply of electricity to all the occupants. We appreciate the submission of the ld. Lawyer for the O.P. nos. 1 and 2 that to avoid any theft a new system requires to be introduced at the cost of the company i.e. installation of meter pillar box in a common portion to provide separate service to each occupant of the premises. We further appreciate the gesture of the CESC Authority that they are ready to give supply to the complainant and other applicants of the said premises in consultation with the occupiers and landlord . Naturally we cannot trace any deficiency of service or unfair trade practice on the part of the O.P. nos. 1 and 2. But to facilitate the installation of the separate meters at the earliest we are passing necessary order in favour of the complainant. Accordingly both the points are disposed of.
In the result the application succeeds.
Hence,
O r d e r e d
That the C. C. Case No. 96 of 2011 ( HDF 96 of 2011 ) be allowed on contest against the O.P. nos. 1 and 2 and dismissed ex parte against O.P. no. 3, 4 and 5 without cost.
The O.P. nos. 1 and 2 CESC Authority be directed to provide new electric connection through separate meter to the complainant at the premises as mentioned in the schedule within 30 days from the date of this order.
The O.P. nos. 3, 4 and 5 are hereby restrained from causing any disturbance during installation of the meter pillar box.
In case of any illegal objection by any person complainant and O.P. nos. 1 and 2 CESC Ltd. shall approach to the local police station for help.
No order as to compensation.
The complainant is at liberty to put the decree into execution after the expiry of the appeal period.
Supply the copies of the order to the parties, as per rule.
