RAJASTHAN STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD Vs. MOHAMMAD YUSUF

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal has been filed by the Rajasthan State Electricity Board, Jaipur and the Assistant Engineer (Distribution I) R. S. E. B. , Jodhpur against the order of the District Forum, Jodhpur dated 3.12.1992 whereby the District Forum partly allowed the complaint filed by the complainant and ordered that electricity consumption charges on the basis of average will not be charged for a period more than six months before 13.8.1988, the date on which the meter was changed by the R. S. E. B. at Jodhpur

(2.) This case furnishes an instance to show as to how the R. S. E. B. officers collide with the complainant in order to give unfair advantage. It is quite clear that when there is a collision between the officers of R. S. E. B. and an electricity consumer, it is obviously for the benefit of both the officer concerned and the consumer, but to the determent of the R. S. E. B.

(3.) An electricity connection was supplied to Lal Mohammad, father of the complainant on 17.11.1985 at Jodhpur. It is very interesting to note that a totally stopped meter was installed on 17.11.1985 when the electricity connection was for the first time supplied. The meter reading records of 86-87, 87-88, and 1988-1989 were produced by the Opp. Parties. These meter reading records would go to show that throughout the year 1986-87, the reading of the meter was 5 and on several occasions, the house of the consumer was reported to be locked. During the entire year 1987-88 the meter reading remained the same as 5 and nil consumption was recorded. This state of affairs continued till August, 1988 when the meter was changed. During the entire period upto 13.8.1988 electricity bills on the basis of minimum charges were sent to the complainant for about three years and the complainant paid these minimum charges bills. It is clear that for three years despite nothing that the meter was not working from the date the electric supply was given to the complainant in the year 1985, the Assistant Engineer (Distribution I) R. S. E. B. , Jodhpur took no steps to change the meter and to instal a correct and accurate meter. Obviously he did this to give undue benefit to the consumer of paying minimum charges for three years.