CHHATTISGARH STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD Vs. GANOORAM SAHU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal directed against order passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum Rajnandgaon (hereinafter referred to as 'the District Forum' for convenience) in Complaint No.42/2000, on 12th April, 2001. The District Forum has directed the appellant to refrain from disconnecting power supply to the complainant/appellant and also to refund the amount of Rs.5,309/- recovered from the appellant on 10.8.2000 with interest @ 12% till the date of payment.

(2.) The complainant has averred that he is a consumer of the Chhattisgarh Electricity Board and has been paying the bills regularly. On 20.6.2000 a bill for Rs.10,618/- was sent to him on the basis of audit report for 96-99 with direction to pay the same within a month. The letter forwarding the said bill also mentions that the meter was not working between July, 1996 and January, 1998 and, therefore, lower amount was billed earlier and hence the difference was being demanded.

(3.) The opposite party/appellants have in their reply to the complaint averred that during audit it was directed that the meter for the complainant's connection was not running and hence bills were issued on the basis of average consumption. The consumption was assessed at 3003 units while payment for only 268 units was collected. Therefore, a bill for 1361 units consumed for Rs.5,563/- was issued. Rs.5,309/- has also been paid against the said bill. It is also contended that the earlier bill for Rs.10,618/- has subsequently revised and reduced to Rs.5,309/- in correction of mathematical error.