M P STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD JABALPUR Vs. CHANDABAI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By the order impugned the Forum below has quashed the electricity bill dated 9.5.2006 raised by appellant-MPEB against domestic connection of respondent-complainant for a sum of Rs.3,336 showing consumption of 754 units for the period from 10th April, 2006 to 4th May, 2006 i. e. , for a lesser period than one month.

(2.) As noted by the Forum below during the year 2004 the maximum consumption recorded by the meter was 180 units in the month of May 2004, in the year 2005 it was 227 units in the month of June while the minimum consumption during these years was 42 units in January 2004 and 60 units in March 2005. In June 2005 it was again 227 units only. No explanation could be furnished for this sudden spurt in the consumption shown by the meter in the month of May 2006.

(3.) It is true that on complaint by respondent the meter was taken out and got tested by the appellant-Board in it's own laboratory at Jabalpur. As per test report the meter was found O. K. However as noted further by the Forum below and rightly, no document evidencing removal of the meter and its packing under proper seal and signature could be adduced by the appellant-Board. No report of its installation could also be filed on record. Under the circumstances, the Forum below was justified in entertaining doubt as to the correctness of this test report. In any case, the consumption as recorded in the month of May 2006 appeared clearly wrong and the bill issued on the basis of the said consumption was rightly quashed by the District Forum. The Forum has, however, granted liberty to the appellant to charge the respondent on the basis of maximum consumption recorded by the meter in the month of June 2005 i. e. , 227 units. We see no infirmity in the impugned order.