SUMITRA MADHUKAR ARSEKAR Vs. CHAIRMAN GOA HOUSING BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These two counter appeals arise out of order of Dist. Forum, Wardha dated 19.3.1993 passed in Complaint No.80/91. Appeal No.359/93 is preferred by complainant claiming more compensation whereas Appeal No.240/93 is filed by the opp. party challenging the impugned order.

(2.) Shortly stated the facts are that the complainant is running fabrication industry at Wardha Dist. The opp. party Maharashtra State Electricity Board (for short MSEB) had agreed to supply electricity to complainant's factory. Undisputedly, the complainant has been the user of electricity for his factory from the opp. party since long. It is also not in dispute that the complainant paid all dues of electricity till October,1990. It is also admitted that on 30.11.90 Asstt. Engineer with Dy. Engineer of MSEB visited the complainant's factory and recorded electric reading. It alleged by the MSEB that seal on the electric meter was found broken. It is admitted that on that date the said Engineer put his lock on the meter and replaced a new meter on 5.1.91 and the key was with the Engineer.

(3.) The present complaint has been filed by the complainant alleging that the MSEB had submitted the electricity consumption bills to the complainant for the month of Dec.1990 and Jan.1991 showing the average consumption and illegally added extra units which were not consumed. Precisely, it is alleged by the complainant that the reading of the meter on 30.12.90 show the consumption of 14,200 units. The complainant was submitted the bill for Rs.77,307/- showing the total consumption of 25,720 units. The complainant therefore alleged that he was required to pay for additional amount of 11,520 units although he has not consumed those units. However, according to complainant due to threat of disconnection of electricity he paid the entire bill on 18.1.1991 under protest Another grievance of the complainant is that even after the installation of new meter on 5.1.91 the bill for the month of Jan.1991 issued to him was showing the consumption of 45,024 units. The total bill it for Rs.92,307/-. The complainant alleged that the said bill included 19,367 extra units not consumed by him and for that purpose he was required to pay Rs.31,330/- more. The third grievance of the complainant is that he was unnecessarily charged Rs.1211.88 and Rs.150/- towards D. P. charges, although he was not liable to pay them. The fourth grievance of the complainant is that an amount of Rs.3406.90 has been wrongly deducted from his security deposit, towards interest for the year 1991. The complainant alleged that the aforesaid act was not in accordance with the rules of MSEB. The fifth grievance of the complainant is that the electricity board has been recovered from him wrongly Rs.18,568.93 in Aug.1991 towards arrears of D. P. charges.