SHRI WALI RAM Vs. PUNJAB STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present writ petition has been filed under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India whereby challenge has been made for quashing the levy of Rs. 21,500/- on the petitioner in the garb of expenses incurred on the link line for the augmentation of voltage vide demand notice dated 7.2.1994 ( Annexure P-1).

(2.) The case set up by the petitioner is that the petitioner is small farmer owning small agricultural land where from he earned his livelihood. The petitioner had applied for the electric connection for tubewell for the purpose of irrigating his fields on 14.2.1990 and had deposited Rs. 160/- + Rs. 1000/- as advance on 28.12.1993. The official of the Board informed the petitioner that he was required to pay further amount on issuance of demand notice at the rate of Rs. 50/- per meter towards the expenses to be incurred on the line connecting the tubewell with the nearest supply line. The petitioner was also required to pay at the rate of Rs. 1000/- for H.P.motor, refundable after 5 years without interest from the date of the release of the connection. Accordingly, a demand notice dated 7.2.1994 was served upon the petitioner whereby he was asked to deposit Rs. 21,500/- on account of expenses of link line for the augmentation of voltage towards the expenses mentioned therein at the rate of Rs. 50/- (nonrefundable) per meter on the line connecting the tubewell with the supply line and at the rate of Rs. 1000/- for 01 H.P. Motor, refundable without interest after 5 years from the date of release of the connection.

(3.) It was further pleaded that from Bhadson Sub Station 66 K.V. Grid, the electricity was supplied to 6-feeders namely Bhadson, Sudhewal, Manoke, Malhewal, Khannaura and Chahal and generally from one feeder 8/9 villages are supplied. Earlier for Raisal, Gobindpura, Kalsana, Nalahewal, Bhorey, Lope, Bhishanpura, there was only one feeder of Bhadson.