WEST BENGAL ELECTRICITY BOARD Vs. MANORANJAN HALDER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned Counsel for the petitioner. Notice issued to the respondents has been received back with the postal remarks 'refused'. Proceeded ex parte.

(2.) Petitioner was the opposite party before the District Forum. Case of the complainant-respondent is that he got electric connection from the petitioner in the year 1998 after making necessary deposites and since then he was paying meter rent @ Rs. 45 per month. Payment of Rs. 1,400 against the cost of the meter was adjustable as per quotation of the opposite party dated 12.1.1998. In the month of November, 2001, the meter suddenly stopped functioning and he informed of the same to the petitioner. The personnel of the petitioner took the meter of the respondent and told him that his meter had been burnt and he had to pay Rs. 16,000 being the cost of the electric meter. In the bill of November, 2001, the meter rent was shown to be Rs. 45 while in the month of October, 2001 no meter rent was charged. In subsequent months also, the meter rent was charged @ Rs. 45 and Rs. 50 but in the month of April, 2002, the meter rent was charged @ 400. Thus, for removal of discrepancy in the bill, complainant approached the petitioner but in vain. Thereafter, the complaint was filed before the District Forum.

(3.) District Forum allowed the complaint and directed the petitioner to realize the meter rent @ 45 from the very month in which the meter was replaced by an electronic meter and the same rent will continue as per order No. 5936 dated 1.10.2001. Petitioner was further directed to refund the sum of Rs. 16,000 already taken as advised in ten equal monthly instalments by way of adjustment in the consumption bill as per office order of the Board Rs. 10,000 were awarded by way of compensation.