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 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 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 of electricity. 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 was 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 lakhs compensation for loss, Rs.50,000/- as mental harassment and Rs.11,000/- as litigation expenses.

(3.) ORDER of District Forum was challenged by the respondents and State Commission, vide impugned order partly accepted the appeal and order with regard to the grant of compensation of Rs.3.2 lakhs was set aside. However, the amount of costs of litigation and compensation was upheld.