ELECTRICAL EXECUTIVE ENGINEER Vs. SHYAM SUNDAR PODDAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) O .P. (Electrical Executive Engineer, Muzaffarpur) is the appellant who has preferred the appeal against the order dated 23.2.1995 passed by District Forum, Muzaffarpur in Complaint Case No. 729/1993 whereby and whereunder the Forum has allowed the prayer of the complainant and directed the appellant (O.P.) to pay a compensation of Rs. 2,000/ - to the complainant.

(2.) THE brief fact of the case is that complainant alleged that his domestic electric connection A/C No. 6133/30/38 received a bill for Rs. 11,937/ - for the period April, 1993 to June, 1993. The contention of the complainant was that the bill was arbitrary, excessive and inflated. The complainant prayed to rectify the bill and not to disconnect the electric connection during this period.

(3.) THE O.P. appeared, filed show -cause and its case was that the complaint was not maintainable as it was barred by limitation. The electric meter of the complainant was defective. His premises were inspected in presence of the complainant on 5.11.1992 and thereafter the bill was sent on the basis of average billing. The average unit @ 541 units per month was worked out on the load factor 2505 watts. In support of this contention, Annexure I has been produced to show that inspection was made in the presence of the complainant who was signed over the inspection report. After hearing both the parties, the District Forum directed the Board -appellant to refund back the entire amount which has been deposited by the complainant for excessive billing for the month of September, 1984 to March, 1993 (for the period 8 years seven months) alongwith 10% interest. It was also directed by the District Forum that Board should change the meter of the complainant within 15 days and on the basis of meter reading bills should be submitted and further allowed a compensation of Rs. 2,000/ - to the complainant.