CHHATTISGARH STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD Vs. GAJADHAR PRASAD KESARWANI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal, under Sec.15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is directed against the order dated 22.9.2001 in Complaint No.255/2000 by District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Raipur (hereinafter called the 'district Forum' for short), allowing the complaint and quashing the demand of the appellant Board raised by their bill dated 16.11.1999.

(2.) Undisputably the complainant/respondent had obtained electric connection from the appellant Board for Oil Expeller and Flour Mill. However, the complainant/respondent in fact never installed oil expeller and only used the said service connection for the purpose of Hauler and Flour Mill. The complainant/respondent however, was given bill for 11 months for the period from July, 1995 to July, 1996 at the higher rate of tariff. The complainant/respondent, protested against the said bill, to the appellant Board. On 25.4.1996 Assistant Engineer of appellant Board went to the spot and after physical verification directed correction of the bill. Accordingly, the bills for the months from June, 1996 onwards were sent as per lower tariff rate as has been requested by the complainant/respondent. However, subsequently in January, 2000 a bill for payment of arrears of Rs.14,042/- was sent to the complainant/respondent for payment on the basis of internal Audit Report.

(3.) In the complaint the complainant averred that demand of Rs.14,042/- as above was unjustified. He also alleged that despite protest and letters written by him to the appellant Board, the demand as above was not dropped. It was averred by the complainant/respondent that he was not liable to pay the amount as above, which was demanded on the basis of audit report.