VINOD KUMAR Vs. PUNJAB STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner by way of present revision petition has challenged the ex parte order dated 29.10.2010 passed by Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh(for short 'State Commission').

(2.) Brief facts of the case are that petitioner filed a complaint under Section 12 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (for short the 'Act') against respondents stating that he has an electricity connection installed in his cold store. The meter of the cold store was burnt on 8.1.2004. Complainant deposited Rs. 8,000 with the respondents / opposite parties for change of the meter. The newly installed meter in place of burnt meter was a defective one and was not working properly as it was not giving any supply ofelectricity. Respondent on the request of complainant checked the meter on 11.2.2004 and during checking CT/PT unit was not giving any potential and electricity was not passing through the meter and working of cold storage also closed. This meter remained stopped for a period of 8.1.2004/to 20.2.2004 and during the period, complainant suffered heavy losses as the things/material stored were damaged and income of the complainant was stopped due to non-supply of the electricity. In spite of non-working of the meter for the period 8.1.2004 to 20.2.2004, complainant got electricity bill of Rs.5,850 from respondents for without any using of electricity for the above said period, complainant has not consumed any electricity due to above said defective meter. Hence, this complaint for quashing the demand of Rs. 5,850 with Rs. 5 lakh compensation for loss, Rs. 50,000 as mental harassment and Rs. 11,000 as litigation expenses.

(3.) In their joint written reply, respondents admitted that the meter was changed on 13.2.2004 and the CT/PT was checked on 3.2.2004. It was also admitted that meter remained stopped from 8.1.2004 to 20.2.2004. Respondents have demanded Rs. 5,850 as monthly minimum charges of 540 units.