DATE OF FILING : 15-03-2013. DATE OF S/R : 18-04-2013. DATE OF FINAL ORDER : 30-07-2013. Sunil Kumar Patra, son of Khagendra Patra, residing at 152/3, Netaji Subhas Road, P.S. & District – Howrah, PIN – 711101..------------------------------------------------------------------ COMPLAINANT. - Versus - 1. The CESC Limited, having its head office at Victoria House, Chowrangi Square, Kolkata – 1. 2. District Engineer, CESC Limited, Howrah Regional Office, 433/1, G.T. Road ( North ), P.S. Golabari, Howrah – 711 101. 3.. Smt. Durga Bala Ghosh, wife of late Kanailal Ghosh, 4. Sri Babulal Ghosh, 5. Sri Kashinath Ghosh, 6. Sri Raji Ghosh, 7. Sri Golak Ghosh, all sons of late Kanailal Ghosh, residing at 6, Kailash Chandra Lane, P.S. Bantra, District – Howrah.-------------------------------------------------OPPOSITE PARTIES. P R E S E N T President –in-charge : Shri P.K. Chatterjee. Member : Smt. Jhumki Saha. F I N A L O R D E R 1. The instant case was filed by complainant U/S 12 of the C.P. Act, 1986, as amended against the O.P. nos. 1 & 2 alleging deficiency in service U/S 2( 1 )( g ), 2( 1 )( o ) of the C.P. Act, 1986 wherein the complainant has prayed for passing necessary direction upon the O.P. no. 1 & 2 i.e., CESC Authority for installation of new meter ( loop connection) of the petitioner at holding no. 152/3, Netaji Subash Road, P.S. & District – Howrah, at the meter board already fixed after depositing Rs. 200/- vide form no. 86025521338 on 24-12-2012 and for further order for police help if any obstruction or disturbance is caused by the O.P. nos. 3 to 7 to the said occupied tenanted premises. 2. The O.P. no. 1 & 2 i.e., CESC Authority in his written version admitted that the complainant applied with deposition of Rs. 200/- as EMD but the meter cannot be installed owing to the objection raised by O.P. nos. 3 to 7. They have no objection for installation of the same if the O.P. nos. 3 to 7 are restrained. 3. The O.P. no. 6 in his written version opined that the complaint has no cause of action against the O.P. no. 6 and this answering O.P. no. 6 is the owner and occupier of the holding no. 152/3, Netaji Subhas Road, P.S. Bantra, District – Howrah. The O.P. no. 6 further opined that the complainant’s tenancy has been terminated with effect from 19-04-2013 by issuing terminal notice issued by this answering O.P. and this complainant has not taken any consent for effecting electric connection at his tenanted premises for which complainant’s petition demanding electric connection may be rejected. 4. Notice was serviced upon the O.P. nos. 3, 4, 5 & 7. But none of them appear. The notice was returned back with the postal endorsement “As not at Howrah” for which ex parte hearing was fixed against the above O.Ps. 5. Upon pleadings of both parties two points arose for determination : i) Is there any deficiency in service on the part of the O.P. nos. 1 & 2, CESC Authority ? ii) Whether the complainant is entitled to get any relief as prayed for ? DECISION WITH REASONS : 4. Both the points are taken up together for consideration. Admittedly the complainant complied with all necessary formalities. It appears that the O.P. no. 1 & 2 i.e., CESC Authority being the public utility concern is eager to cater supply to the intending consumer, i.e. complainant. There is no deficiency in service on their part and nor did they commit any unfair trade practice. Their inability to install the meter was due to the objection raised by the O.P. nos. 3 to 7. Moreover, U/S 43 of the Electricity Act, 2003 wherein the complainant is entitled to get electricity as an occupier whatever the reason to his occupied portion as a tenant. 5. We have also considered the written version of O.P. no. 6 but the fact remains that the present situation the complainant cannot be deprived electricity nor can be forced to live in darkness due to fictitious ground considering electricity is a need based requirement of a civilized person. In the result, we are of the view that the complainant is entitled to the relief as prayed for. The points are accordingly disposed of. Hence, O R D E R E D That the C. C. Case No. 73 of 2013 ( HDF 73 of 2013 ) be allowed on contest without costs against the O.P. no. 1 & 2 i.e., CESC Authority and dismissed against the rest without cost. The O.P. no. 1 & 2 i.e., CESC Authority be directed to install a new meter at 152/3, Netaji Subash Road, P.S. & District – Howrah, at the meter board fixed earlier, giving opportunity to the complainant to comply all necessary formalities including deposition of MASD Bill followed by inspection within 45 days from the date of this order. If there be any resistance by anyone including the O.P. nos. 3 to 7 against such supply of electricity in the said schedule premises, the O.P. no. 1 & 2 i.e., CESC Authority shall be at liberty to take necessary assistance or protection from Howrah P.S. The O/C, Howrah P.S. shall be under obligation to provide necessary assistance or protection to the men and officers of the CESC Authority for providing such supply to the complainant premises in case of approach made by CESC Authority. No order as to compensation and litigation costs are awarded. The complainant is at liberty to put the decree into execution after expiry of the appeal period. Supply the copies of the order to the parties, as per rule. DICTATED & CORRECTED BY ME. ( P. K. Chatterjee ) ( P. K. Chatterjee ) President –In-Charge, President –In-Charge, C.D.R.F.,Howrah. C.D.R.F.,Howrah. ( Jhumki Saha ) Member, C.D.R.F.,Howrah. |