TELECOM DISTRICT MANAGER Vs. AGARWAL INDUSTRIES

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present appeal is filed by the Telecom District Manager, Jalgaon against the Judgment and Order dated 12.3.1999, passed by the District Consumer Forum, Jalgaon in Complaint No.95/1997.

(2.) The respondent/complainant's case before the Forum is that, he was having telephone connection No.25456, having S. T. D. and I. S. D. facility. He challenged the bill dated 22.10.1997 for the period 16.8.1997 to 15.10.1997 amounting to Rs.1,40,041. According to him, bill in question was excessive bills including late fees. He prayed for reduction of the disputed bill up to Rs.10,500 on the basis of the previous average billing.

(3.) The present appellant appeared before the Forum and resisted the claim. It is contended that, on receipt of the complaint regarding excessive meter reading for the disputed period, the complaint was investigated. It is contended that, no fault was found in the meter or other metering equipments and there was no justification to give any rebate. It is contended that, the telephone was having S. T. D. and I. S. D. facility and the respondent being industrialist made excessive use. According to appellant, the bill issued was correct as per the S. T. D. and I. S. D. calls registered in the meter. It is also contended that, they have intimated to the Respondents and called upon him to pay bill of Rs.1,42,041 and also informed that, if the amount is not paid till 18.11.1997 phone will be disconnected without any notice or intimation. It is also contended that, as the respondent did not pay the amount of bill, telephone was disconnected. It is also contended that the telephone was kept under observation from 19.9.1997 to 23.9.1997. During that period 7475 calls were metered, which shows heavy use of S. T. D. and I. S. D. facility.