IN THE DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM, MURSHIDABAD AT BERHAMPORE.
CASE No. CC /97/2016.
Date of Filing: 20.06.2016. Date of Final Order: 30.11.2016.
Complainant: Hamdul Sk.Vill&P.O. Ghorsala, P.S. Raghunathganj, Dist. Murshidabad. Pin-742235.
-Vs-
Opposite Party: The Station Manager, WBSEDCL, Raghunathganj CCC, Raghunathganj,
Dist. Murshidabad, Pin 742225.
Present:
Sri Samaresh Kumar Mitra ……………………..Member.
Smt. Pranati Ali ……….……………….……………. Member
FINAL ORDER
Sri Samaresh Kumar Mitra, Presiding Member.
This complaint has been filed by the complainant u/12 of C. P. Act, 1986 praying for order directing the OP not to disconnect the electric line and to prepare a fresh bill.
The case of the complainant, in brief, is that he is a consumer under the OP having Consumer I.D. 313042124. He received an electric bill for Rs. 24,709/- for his consumption. The bill is excessive, inflated and arbitrary. On complaining the meter has been replaced by a new one. The newly installed master meter is showing the average consumption of electricity as it was consumed during the earlier billings period not that of the current newly installed meter readings. The complainant was not aware of installing new meter. The bill is excessive, inflated and arbitrary. Hence, the instant complaint case.
The case of the OP, in short, is that the meter No. G 1089094 of the complainant was found to be defective, so a new meter was installed being No. B3202252 on 12.01.2016. The initial reading of the new meter was 000 units. During the periodical meter reading it was found that the meter reading of the new meter was 2898 units. Accordingly, quarterly bill was raised. The petitioner raised objection against the meter. Then the meter was checked through master mete and it was found to be correct. The bill is sent according to the meter reading. It is not excessive. So, there is no deficiency on the part of the OP.
Complainant has filed no oral evidence or evidence-on-affidavit.
From the arguments as advanced by the complainant and the agent of the OP and also from
the case record, it appears that the complainant is a defaulter in paying his electric bills. It is also crystal clear that the complainant consumed the energy month by month but did not pay the energy charges. As a result the units were accumulated. Complainant failed to pay the huge accumulated energy charges and power connection of the complainant was disconnected on 30.06.2016.
Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of opinion that a fresh bill is to be prepared taking slab benefits till the date of disconnection of the meter ie. 30.06.2016 and cancel the bill dated 13.4.2016. The complainant is entitled to get re-connection and easy installments to pay the arrear dues.
Hence,
Ordered
that the Consumer Complaint No. 97/2016 be and the same is hereby allowed on contest without any order as to cost.
The OP is directed to generate a fresh bill taking slab benefit till the date of disconnection i.e 30.06.2016 by cancelling the bill dated 13.4.2016. The arrear bill is to be paid by the complainant in 12 monthly installments.
The electric line of the complainant is to be installed within 7 days from the date of payment of the first installment.
The complainant will go on depositing the rest of the installments within the fortnight of the succeeding month.
Current bills are to be paid by the complainant as per time table mentioned in the bill.
To avoid further disconnection , the complainant is directed to deposit the installments and bill to be raised after taking current reading.
Let a plain copy of this order be made available and be supplied free of cost, to each of the parties on contest in person, Ld. Advocate/Agent on record, by hand under proper acknowledgment / be sent forthwith under ordinary post to the concerned parties as per rules, for information and necessary action.
Member Member
