PSPCL AND ANR. HEAD OFFICE AT : THE MALL PATIALA PUNJAB Vs. MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, HOSHIARPUR THROUGH ITS EXECUTIVE PATIALA PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This revision is directed against the order of the Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal, Chandigarh (in short, "the State Commission") dated 29.4.2011 whereby the State Commission concurred with the finding of the District Forum, Hosiarpur and dismissed the appeal.

(2.) Briefly stated, facts relevant for the disposal of the revision petition are that Municipal Council, Hosiarpur (respondent herein) filed a consumer complaint pleading that the respondent/complainant is a consumer of the petitioner/opposite party. Electric connection bearing No.SL-1 for street lights of the municipal limit of city of Hosiarpur was installed by the petitioner on various electricity polls. The bills were issued as per meter reading and paid regularly. It is the case of the complainant that the petitioner/opposite party No.2, however, issued inflated bills dated 21.3.2005, 21.4.2005, 20.5.2005, 20.6.2005, 21.7.2005, 22.8.2005, 22.9.2005, 21.10.2005 and 21.11.2005 on average basis instead of actual meter reading. Ultimately, illegal demand of Rs.13,02,569/- was raised vide bill dated 22.12.2005. The complainant requested the petitioner to correct the bill as per meter reading but in vain and instead the petitioner threatened that in the event of non-payment of the bill raised on 22.12.2005, the electricity connection would be discontinued. Being aggrieved the respondent raised the consumer dispute.

(3.) The petitioner denied the allegations in the complaint on merits. It was claimed that the bills were rightly issued and the bills were not on average basis.