ASIT KUMAR MANDAL Vs. STATION MANAGER, WBSEDCL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This revision petition under Sec. 19 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (in short, the 'Act') assails the order dtd. 6/9/2017 in Appeal No. A/1181/2015 of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, West Bengal, (in short, the 'State Commission') allowing the appeal of the respondent against order dated of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Paschim Midnapur (in short, the 'District Forum') dtd. 18/8/2015 in Consumer Complaint no. CC/25/2013.

(2.) The facts as per the petitioner are that he is a consumer of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (WBSEDCL). Manikpara, P.S. Jhargam, West Bengal and that he received a bill of Rs.62,737.00 for the period June 2010 to April 2012 which was stated by the respondent to be the bill based on reading of the meter since previous bills were based on estimations in view of extremist activities by the Mao in the area during the period. Petitioner contends his average electricity consumption was 40 to 50 units per month and hence this was very excessive. However, the WBSEDCL rejected his representation and therefore he approached the District Forum which allowed his complaint. The State Commission, on appeal, set aside this order on the ground that the petitioner did not approach the Regional Grievance Redressal Officer (RGRO) as per Regulation 3.5 of the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission and that the order of the District Forum was not based on any report of an Expert to rectify the bill. The assail in this petition is against this order of the State Commission.

(3.) I have heard the learned counsel for both the parties and carefully considered the material on record.