AMALA CANCER HOSPITAL Vs. KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD; SPECIAL OFFICER (REVENUE), K S E B; DEPUTY CHIEF ENGINEER IN-CHARGE; ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, a hospital, is a High Tension consumer of the 1st respondent Board. It is stated that on the basis of the energy consumed, which was being recorded in the meter, of which reading was taken by the Officers of the Board periodically, the bills were being raised, and charges were being paid.

(2.) According to the petitioner, on 01/11/2000, the Assistant Engineer of the Board, took the meter reading and on that basis, Ext.P1 bill was issued, which was also paid. Immediately thereafter, on 03/11/2000, the Special Squad of the Board inspected the Electrical installations in the petitioner's premises. It is stated that on inspection, it was noticed that R phase PT fuse was found to be blown off, and that the meter was recording only 2/3rd of the actual consumption. The defect was rectified on 13/11/2000, and the petitioner was held liable for revised charges for the period from March, 2000 to 13/11/2000.

(3.) On this basis, under cover of Ext.P3, revised bills were issued to the petitioner. Since demand was for more than Rs. 5 lakhs, the petitioner submitted Ext.P4 representation, which was treated as an appeal. The appeal was heard by the Chief Engineer of the Board, and was disposed of by Ext.P5 order. In Ext.P5 it was directed that for the period from June, 2000 to August, 2000, the petitioner may be charged at 50% of the recorded consumption. It is also stated that for the period from September, 2000 to November, 2000, the petitioner may be charged adopting the average of three month's consumption for the period after the defective meter was replaced. It is challenging this proceedings, the original petition has been filed.