Orissa

Jharsuguda

CC/9/2015

Brajabandhu Sahu S/O-Late Bauribandhu Sahu - Complainant(s)

Versus

The Junior Engineer/Electrical Section Officer,WESCO - Opp.Party(s)

Self

24 Jun 2015

ORDER

 

DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM, JHARSUGUDA

 

CONSUMER  COMPLAINT  CASE NO. 09 OF 2015

 

Brajabandhu Sahu ( 69 Yrs.),

S/O: Late Bauribandhu Sahu,

R/O: Khaliakani, PO: Gandghora,

PS: Brajrajnagar, Dist- Jharsuguda, Odisha…………………..…………..……. Complainant.

     

                                           Versus 

 

1. The Junior Engineer / Electrical Section Officer,

WESCO, Gandhi Chowk, Brajrajnagar,

PO/PS: Brajrajnagar, Dist: Jharsuguda, Odisha.

 

2. The Sub-Divisional Officer (Elect.), Brajrajnagar,

PO/ PS: Brajrajnagar, Dist- Jharsuguda.................................................. Opp. Parties.

 

 

Counsel for the Parties:-

For the Complainant                          Self.

For the Opp. Parties                          Shri B. B. Barai, Adv. & Associates.

 

Date of Order: 24.06.2015

 

Present

 

                                              1. Shri S.L Behera, President.

                                              2. Shri S.K.Ojha, Sr. Member.

                                              3. Smt. A. Nanda, Member(W).

 

 

Shri S. K. Ojha, Sr. Member:-  The brief facts of the complaint case is that, the complainant is a consumer of the O.Ps. since last 15 years, paying the electricity bills regularly.  On dtd. 21.07.2014 the electric meter of the complainant burnt out unfortunately which was intimated to the O.P. No.1 by the complainant and after several requests the O.P.No.1 installed a new meter on dtd. 26.12.2014. The O.Ps issued electricity bills on average basis for the period dtd. 22.07.2014 to 26.12.2014, but those bills were having much more than the usual consumption of the complainant.  The complainant requested several times to make correction on the bills as per usual consumption but the O.Ps. did not correct till date, hence this case. 

On service of notices, the O.Ps appeared and filed Written Version jointly through their counsel admitting the facts of electricity connection and submitted that the complainant is a consumer vide consumer No. 4171-2702-0052 under domestic category.  The meter burnt in the month of July, 2014 and after getting notice the complainant was informed to purchase meter himself for early replacement due to non-availability of new meter.  On receiving stock of new meter the O.Ps. Installed the new meter on dtd.26.12.2014.  The O.Ps. Given bill between 42 to 65 units of average calculation from July’2014 to December’2014 and denying all other allegations with prayer for dismissal of the case. 

 

Heard the matter in length from both the parties, gone through the case and materials available on record. It is not disputed that the meter had burnt in July’2014 rather the dispute is regarding the issuance of electricity bills on average basis, which were having more than the regular actual consumption by the complainant.  As per the bills filed by the complainant, the complainant used 45 units in May’2014, 38 units in June’2014 and after being burnt of the electric meter the O.Ps. Issued bills which were said to be on average basis but issued for 48 units in August’2014, 65 units in October’2014, 100 units in November’2014 and 188 units in December’2014. It is worth noting that the O.Ps. Issued bills as per their suitability i.e different units in different months but were said to be on average basis.  It is also noticed that after being installation of the new meter the complainant used 26 units in February’ 2015, 33 units in March’2015 and 41 units in April’2015. 

 

On the above observations and analysis, it is found that the electricity consumption of the complainant were basis between 26 units to 41 units in regular and he has paid for all the bills which had been wrongly calculated or in the other words he has no any outstanding dues, but the O.Ps. By saying to be calculated on average basis, had issued bills on random basis for which amounts to be clear unfair trade practice adopted by the O.Ps.

 

Hence, we are in considered opinion to allow the complaint of the complainant with directions to the O.Ps. To pay a sum of Rs.5,000/-( Rupees five thousand) only towards harassment , mental agony including litigation cost to the complainant, which will be adjusted in the forthcoming bills of the complainant as per the actual electricity energy consumed by the complainant. Further the O.Ps. Are directed not to adopt such types of unfair trade practices as mentioned above.

           

Accordingly the case is disposed of.

                       

Order pronounced in the open court today on this the 24^th day of June’ 2015, copy of this order shall be communicated to the parties as per rule.

 

 

                                                      I Agree,                               I Agree,

 

                                           S.L.Behra (President)            A.Nanda, Member (W)              S. K. Ojha, Sr. Member

                                                                                Dictated and corrected by me,

                                                                                  S. K. Ojha, Sr. Member.