THE ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER THE KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD Vs. CONSUMER GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL FORUM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is filed by the Assistant Executive Engineer, Kerala State Electricity Board, challenging an order passed by the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (for short 'CGRF') in OP No.700/2012 (Ext.P3) and the order in review (Ext.P5).

(2.) The short facts involved in the writ petition would disclose that the 2nd respondent being the promoter and registered owner of a high rise building applied for a service connection to the said complex by name Serene Square. For providing service connection, the owner had to install transformer and other equipments of the required capacity by herself. An estimate was prepared by the Board for an amount of Rs.8,89,000/-. The work was completed and the power connection had been provided to Consumer Nos.10194 to 10208. Thereafter, the 2nd respondent preferred a complaint before the CGRF inter alia contending that the estimate was exorbitant and sought for refund of Rs.11,62,277/-.

(3.) The CGRF after considering the factual issues involved in the matter observed that Board cannot realise the expense of an alternate route which causes the consumer extra expenses. Therefore, the Board has to examine the possibility of the shortest and economical access. Accordingly, the Board was directed to provide a revised estimate taking into account the shortest economic and feasible way and direction has been issued to refund the excess amount remitted by the petitioner.