DELHI JAL BOARD Vs. SUNITA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The subject matter of this appeal is that the appellant has been directed vide impugned order dated 10.4.2002 to revise the bills applying the domestic tariff without any late payment and was also directed to raise the revised bill on domestic tariff without any late payment surcharge and the excessive amount with 12% interest to the respondent and also to pay Rs.2,000/- as compensation for harassment and agony and Rs.500/- as cost of litigation for disconnecting the water supply and re-connection of water supply. The facts are more or less not in dispute. A bill charging for the last three years at commercial rates was raised and half of the bill amount of Rs.20,000/- was paid on 13.8.1999 and on representation of the respondent to the concerned authorities, bill of Rs.5,384/- was raised on 10.1.2001 and notice of demand for Rs.6,612/- was received by the respondent in February, 2001. The complaint of the respondent was found to be correct that though the connection was domestic higher tariff was applied and the bill was raised on the basis of commercial basis and without waiting for the payment of the raised bill by the due date, the appellant disconnected the water supply on 13.2.2001 in spite of the fact that date of payment was still due as per demand notice. It was under protest the respondent paid Rs.6,162/- against the demand notice which amount was subsequently found to be Rs.5,384/- and in spite of this payment the water supply was not restored.

(2.) In view of the aforesaid facts, the impugned order does not call for any interference except that interest awarded by the District Forum on these amounts shall not be payable by the appellant either in respect of the revised bills or in respect of the charges for re-connection as we do not feel the necessity of noticing the respondent in this regard.

(3.) Appeal is disposed of in above terms. A copy of this order, as per the statutory requirements, be forwarded to the parties, free of charge and also to the concerned District Forum and thereafter the file be consigned to the Record Room.