Today is fixed for ex parte argument and final order.

Heard argument. Final order is passed accordingly.

The fact of the case is that the complainant is the bonafide consumer bearing consumer I.D.No.11472734 under O.P.No.2 i.e Station Manager and Assistant Engineer of W.B.S.E.D.C.L, Islampur. From the petition of complaint it is found that the meter which was provide to the consumer became defective on 16.02.15 and such fact of defect was reflected in the yellow card as meter stopped. Thereafter the complainant filed applications before the O.P requesting the O.P.No.2 to change the meter. Accordingly the meter was changed, but the said meter also became defective. Thereafter, the complainant further requested the O.P.No.2 to change the defective meter and ultimately the said meter was changed on 24.02.18.  During that period the O.P.No.2 used to raise average bill and the complainant used to pay the average bill raised by the O.P.No.2. It has been further stated that after replacement of the defective meter the O.P.No.2 sent a bill for the month of April 20118 to June 2018 amounting to Rs.44,690=26 P. The amount of bill is too much excessive and without any basis and the bill was prepared whimsically. The complainant is always ready to pay the actual consumption of the electricity.  After receiving the said disputed bill the complainant went to the office of O.P.No.2 requesting him to raise fresh bill. But ultimately the O.P. did not agree.  The complainant has prayed for issuing fresh bill in respect of inflated bill for the period from April 2018 to June 2018 as per actual consumption before the six months prior from the date of 16.02.15 i.e. the date from which the meter was stopped.  And also prayed for installment payment of electricity bill and prays for compensation and litigation cost.

It is the duty of a consumer of the electricity department to pay the electricity bill which was consumed by him/her. From the petition of complaint it is found that the meter was stopped on 16.02.15 and ultimately the meter was changed on 14.02.18. During that period the average bill was raised by the O.P.No.2.

 In this case the O.P.s did not contest the case as such the case was heard ex parte.

On perusal of the evidence on record it is found that the complainant is the bonafide consumer of the O.Ps and on perusal of the record it is also found that the meter was stopped on 16.02.15 and thereafter the meter was changed on 24.02.18. During that period the complainant paid the average bill raised by O.P.No.2.

It is to be mentioned that the evidence adduced by the complainant remained unchallenged, so the complainant has been able to prove his case ex parte.

C.F.paid is correct

Hence, it is

                                   O r d e r e d

That the case being No.C.C.42/18 be and the same is allowed ex parte against the O.Ps. with cost.

The O.P.No.2 is directed to raise and prepare the actual bill from the period from 16.02.18 to 24.02.18 after verification of actual consumption by the complainant. The O.P.No.2 is also directed to deduct the bill paid by the complainant. O.P.No.2 is also directed to prepare the bill within three months from the date of this order subject to all adjustments.

The arrear bill will be paid by the complainant in three installments.

The complainant also gets Rs.1000/- as compensation and Rs.500/-for litigation cost. No order is made as to the interest.

Let a copy of this order be sent to O.P.No.2 for information and taking necessary action with intimation to the Forum.

Let a copy of this order be also supplied to the complainant free of cost.