GENERAL MANAGER TELECOM GWALIOR Vs. AKHILESH DIXIT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The short point to be considered in this case is whether the Telecom Department can charge more than Rs. 20 p.m. to subscriber who had availed the transfer call facility and the facility has been used regularly.

(2.) Shri Akhilesh Dixit who is the respondent in this case had availed the transfer call facility from the Dept. of Telecom on payment of Rs. 20 p.m. extra. He has been getting bills proportionate to the facilities used by him. The respondent filed a complaint before the District Forum, Gwalior alleging that he is paying Rs. 20 for the facility of call transfer. An amount of Rs. 5707 was deposited by the respondent against bills dated 8.10.1998, 5.2.1999 and 22.4.1999 whereas the petitioner was authorized to receive only Rs. 1156 as minimum charges against the above bills. In this way the respondent has been made to deposit Rs. 4551 in excess, which amount he has sought to get refunded with 18% interest till the date of payment. He also claimed damages to the tune of Rs. 10,000, etc.

(3.) The District Forum, Gwalior held that Telecom Dept. is authorized to receive only Rs. 20 charges for providing transfer facility on telephone. The District Forum directed the department to pay Rs. 600 to the respondent for the inconvenience caused to him.