UHBVNL Vs. CHIRANJI LAL THR LRS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is an appeal received by transfer from Haryana State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission against order of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Rohtak (for short hereinafter to be referred as District Forum) dated 5.11.2001 passed in Complaint Case No. 23 of 1999, Sh. Chiranji Lal v. Haryana Electric Supply Corporation Limited.

(2.) BRIEFLY stated the case of the complainant is that he is the consumer of OP having electricity Account No. D0746 installed at his residence at Rohtak. As per the complainant, Office of Deputy Director, Siman Development Bank, Lakaria was functioning in the portion of the house of the complainant and the same office had been shifted out of his premises during March 1994. Consequently, the complainant requested the OP to charge him now on the domestic supply rates because the Bank had shifted its office because earlier the charges were being levied on commercial rates. The OP, however, did not hear the complainant s request and continued to bill him on the basis of non domestic supply and the connection of the complainant was disconnected by the OP in the year 1996 and the meter as well as PVC wire, etc. were removed from the site by the OP. However, the OP continued to send him the bill till the filing of the complaint in spite of having disconnected his connection in the year 1996. This complaint had been filed by the complainant with the prayer that the OP be directed to pay heavy compensation to the complainant for issuing bills to the complainant even after disconnection of his meter.

(3.) THE version of OP in this context is that the complainant was billed for non -domestic tariff since the building in question was being used for commercial purpose. It has also been stated that the complainant is frequently using electric supply for his scooter workshop and therefore, the bills had been rightly issued.