ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO LTD Vs. ANURADHA SAXENA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This complaint pertains to the delay of ten months in giving electric connection to the complainant's cold storage by the Punjab State Electricity Board.

(2.) The case in brief is that the partners of the complainant's firm M/s. New Punjab Cold Storage were under-graduates and were unemployed. To start a business of cold storage they obtained a loan of Rs. 30 lakh at 16.33% per annum from the Oriental Bank of Commerce. They had applied for electric connection to the concerned officer of the Punjab State Electricity Board (hereinafter be referred as Board) simultaneously. The Board issued demand notice on 5.4.1997 and the complainant deposited Rs. 73,500 as service charges to the Electricity Board on 3.2.1998. Though the Electricity Board started the work of installation of electric poles, suddenly they stopped the same in March 1998. The work was re-started from 15.9.1998 but was again stopped for a day. Ultimately, the power connection was given on 29.12.1998 after filing the complaint before the State Commission.

(3.) The Board submitted that the delay was basically due to two reasons- (a) they had to obtain the clearance from the Forest Department for cutting the trees to enable the Board to raise the poles and lay lines; and (b) non-availability of the transformer in the store of the Board.