U P STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD Vs. SIARAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal against the judgment and order dated 30.4.1993 passed by District Consumer Forum, Faizabad in Complaint Case No.288/1992.

(2.) Briefly stated the facts of the case are that the complainant Siaram r/o Sahadatganj, Distt. Faizabad applied for an electricity connection with the opposite party. The connection was sought for self employment to start the business of motor winding, grinding and expelling. An amount of Rs.25/- was deposited with the Electricity Deptt. on 11.10.1991 along with application form. The complainant contacted Sri Anand Kumar, Junior Engineer of the appellants but could not satisfy the demand for money raised by the Junior Engineer. Compelled, the complainant approached the District Magistrate from time to time and on his intervention, the connection was sanctioned on 6.1.1992. The agreement was entered into between two parties on 22.1.1992 but inspite of this the connection was not given. After a lot of running about the estimate was given to the complainant and the entire amount asked by the appellants was deposited on 30.5.1992, on the promise by the appellants that the connection will soon be installed. The appellants were still demanding money from the complainant and the meter which was already lying in the premises has not been sealed and has not been connected from the main line. There has been non-cooperation from the appellant's side and the complainant was threatened that in case he continued to complain to the higher authorities then no help will be provided. The electric connection should have been given within one month of the deposit of the amount against the estimate with the result that the complainant was lying idle for more than six months and has been running to the offices of the appellant and in the process had incurred a loss of Rs.24,000/- because the loss of employment. The complainant, therefore, lodged a claim before the District Consumer Forum for recovery of Rs.26,000/- as compensation along with interest @ 12%. It was also prayed that the Department of the appellant be directed to provide immediate power connection to the complainant.

(3.) In the written statement before the District Consumer Forum, the appellants stated that there was no delay of eight months in giving connection. The electric connection cannot be given on the date of depositing registration/survey charges. A person becomes entitled for getting the electric connection only when he deposits the service connection charges and on execution of agreement. After execution of agreement connection is given within a reasonable time. The complainant had deposited the relevant documents on 7.4.1992 and connection was given to him on 16.6.1992 and, therefore, there has been no deficiency in service on the part of the appellants.