JASWANT KAUR Vs. P S E B

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD. In these revision petitions, a short question which arises for consideration is "whether for the purpose of giving electric connection, Punjab State Electricity Board could enhance the service charges from Rs. 3,000 per BHP to Rs. 5,000 per B. H. P. on 11. 6. 2002 and issue a demand letter accordingly?

(2.) THERE is no dispute that in these matters demand notice was issued after 11. 6. 2002 and option was given to pay the service charges of Rs. 5,000 per B. H. P. to each of the petitioners. These petitioners after availing the facility of payment even by instalment and after obtaining its report, got electric connection after 11. 6. 2002.

(3.) ONE has to take into consideration the increasing cost of electricity production and infrastructure and other incidental enhanced expenditure, service charges, could not remain static at the old rate and therefore we find it difficult to accept the submission that the rate could not be increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 per B. H. P.