TRAILER OWNERS ASSOCIATION Vs. CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, CHENNAI METRO WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records and to quash the impugned order No. Se.Ku.Va./Ma/Aa.2/Aa3/1970/10 dated 28.07.2010 issued by the third respondent and to consequently direct the respondents to immediately rectify the wrong meter reading or in the alternative to replace the same with a new meter and thereby direct the respondents to accept the average water charges at the rate of Rs. 3,500/- when tendered by the petitioner.

(2.) In the affidavit filed in support of this writ petition, the petitioner aver that the petitioner Association is running an Indian Oil Corporation Petrol Bunk at No. C-2/A-3, Sathangadu Steel Market Complex, Ennore Express Road, Sathangadu, Chennai - 600 068, from the month of June, 2009. The said Petrol Bunk is provided with the water supply connection extended by the respondents. The utility charges for the water supply has been paid by the petitioner Association every month without any default as per the meter reading fitted with the water connection, in the Petrol Bunk.

(3.) The petitioner further aver that the utility charges for the year consumed during the month of June, 2009, were calculated and demanded at Rs. 3,045/-, which was duly paid. The utility charges of Rs. 2,765/- for 79 kilo litres of water consumed for the month of July, 2009 was also paid. For the month of August, 2009, water charges to the tune of Rs. 3,360/- was paid for 96 litres of water consumed. Similarly, during the month of September, 2009, a sum of Rs. 3,360/- was paid for 99 kilo litres of water consumed by the Petrol Bunk. While so, vide Bill dated 26.10.2009, the respondents demanded to pay a sum of Rs. 65,700/- which is 20 times higher than the average charges paid during the previous months.