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CONSUMER GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL FORUM STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD LTD- SOUTHERN REGION VYDYUTHI BHAVANAM, ------Present: 1. Sri. V.K. Mani, Deputy Chief Engineer, Chairperson 2. Smt. Daisy Jose, Executive Engineer, Member II 3. Sri. A.R Vijayasundaran, Advocate, Member III

Wednesday 12 th December 2018

OP No.135/2018

Between

Petitioner: Smt.Laila Beevi, Laila Manzil, Kannanalloor.P.O, . And

Respondent: The Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub Division, . ORDER 1. Grievance of the petitioner is as follows. The petitioner is a consumer under Electrical Section, Kannanalloor bearing Consumer No.19198. She has availed a three phase electric connection seven years back . For this she remitted the application fee for Rs.50/- for getting the connection on 19/11/2012 and gave Rs.31,650/- towards OYEC charge to Smt.Minimol, the Assistant Engineer of Electrical Section, Kannanalloor. The electric connection was effected by installing an electric post in the presence of the Assistant Engineer. She contended that it is very clear that the electric connection was - 2 –

effected only after she had remitted the OYEC amount. But she received a demand notice to remit for Rs.31,650/-. So she prays for relief. 2. The respondent filed a version as follows. During the audit by the Regional Audit Officer, it was observed that there occurred short fall in collection of OYEC for an amount of Rs.31,650/-. Hence a notice was issued to the consumer in this regard on 3/10/2018 from Electrical Section, Kannanalloor. The petitioner furnished an application stating that the amount has already been collected by the Assistant Engineer of Electrical Section, Kannanalloor at the time of applying service connection. But the respondent stated that the petitioner did not submit any proof regarding the same. The respondent also stated that seventeen numbers of such cases were identified by the State Vigilance and cases are in progress. But this petitioner is not included in that list. This matter is reported to Executive Engineer for necessary action. It is also contended that unless it is proved that the consumer had given the amount to the former Assistant Engineer, the liability of short collection lies with the consumer. 3. The case was posted for hearing on 24/11/2018 and heard the matter. 4. On going through the petition and other documents in the file, it is seen that the petitioner is aggrieved by the bill of Rs.31,650/- towards the shortage in OYEC amount. The petitioner stated that she has given the OYEC amount of Rs.31,650/- to Smt. Minimol, the Assistant Engineer of Electrical Section, Kannanalloor at the time of availing electric connection. But the Assistant Engineer has not given the cash receipt. The electric connection was effected the next day. The respondent contended that the petitioner did not have any proof regarding the remittance. The respondent also stated that seventeen numbers of such - 3 –

cases were identified by the State Vigilance. But this consumer number of the petitioner is not included in the case. 5. The Forum found that the petitioner was effected an electric connection in seven years ago by drawing over head line. The petitioner contended that she has given the OYEC amount of Rs.31,650/- to Smt.Minimol, the Assistant Engineer of the Electrical Section, Kannanalloor. But the Assistant Engineer has not given the cash receipt. Since the petitioner has got the electric connection, she has not demanded the receipt . After seven years the Assistant Engineer of Electrical Section, Kannanalloor issued a demand notice of Rs.31,650/- towards the shortage in OYEC amount. 6. The Forum views that number of similar cases were identified by the State Vigilance under Electrical Section, Kannanalloor. Since the case is pending before the State Vigilance, the veracity of remittance of OYEC by the petitioner is not a debatable issue. But the Forum found that the electric connection was effected to the petitioner by the licensee. The grounds for disconnection of an electric connection is well defined in Reg.138 (1) of Kerala Electricity Supply Code 2014. No any such grounds are seen in this case. So the above electric connection cannot be disconnected without any ground mentioned in Reg.138 (1) of Kerala Electricity Supply Code 2014. 7. Considering the above facts and circumstances of this case, the Forum dispose the case accordingly. No order as to cost.

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If the petitioner is not satisfied with the above order of this Forum, she is at liberty to prefer appeal before the Electricity Ombudsman within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order. The address of the Electricity Ombudsman is furnished below. State Electricity Ombudsman, Charangattu Bhavan, Building No.34/895, Mamangalam - Anchumana Road, Edappally, Kochi – 682 024, Ph: 0484 - 2346488.

Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- A.R VIJAYASUNDARAN DAISY JOSE V.K. MANI ADVOCATE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER DEPUTY CHIEF E NGINEER MEMBER III MEMBER II CHAIRPERSON

Forwarded

CHAIRPERSON (DEPUTY CHIEF ENGINEER)

No: CGRF/KTR/OP No.135/2018/594 Dated: 13/12/2018.

Delivered to:

1. Smt.Laila Beevi, Laila Manzil, Kannanalloor.P.O, Kollam. 2. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub Division, K.S.E. Board Ltd, Kottiyam.

Copy to:-

1. The Deputy Chief Engineer, Electrical Circle, Kollam. 2. The Executive Engineer, Electrical Division, .

______Office: CGRF(S), Vydyuthi Bhavanam, Kottarakkara, Pin – 691 506 Web site: cgrf.kseb.in E- mail: Cgrf.ktra@kseb. in, Phone: 0474 – 2451300