Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum Northern Region, Kozhikode
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CONSUMER GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL FORUM NORTHERN REGION, KOZHIKODE. (Formed under section 42(5) of Electricity Act 2003.) Vydyuthibhavan, Gandhi Road, Kozhikode -673011 Telephone Number -0495 2367820 [email protected] PRESENT BEENA GOPINATH. S : CHAIRPERSON LEKHA RANI. R : MEMBER ROBIN PETER : MEMBER OP NO.70/2020-21 PETITIONERS :- 1.Sri Bhargavan O K, Akshaya, Akshaya Grocery, P O Iriveri, Chakkarakkal, Kannur Dt. RESPONDENTS :- 1. Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub Division, KSEB Ltd, Eaichur, Kannur District. 2. Assistant Engineer, Electrical Section, KSEB Ltd., Chakkarakkallu, Kannur District. ORDER Case of the Petitioner:- The complainant Sri Bhargavan is the owner of a grocery shop named “Akshaya” bearing consumer number 1166600028995 at Iriveri under the jurisdiction of Electrical Section, Chakkarakkallu which was remained almost closed during the lockdown period due to Covid 19 outbreak. A bill amounting to Rs.31,000/- has been served to him after the lockdown period for a period of 4 months. It was found that the reason for the hike in the bill was the leakage of electricity towards earth. Sri Bhargavan has requested to reduce the bill amount as he has no other means to meet the payment. Version by the respondent:- 1166600028995 is a single phase 7A connection with connected load 360 watts under the jurisdiction of Electrical Section, Chakkarakkallu. While taking meter reading in the month of September 2020, the meter reader experienced an electric shock from the meter box. The consumer had been informed about this fact and also directed to check the wiring in the premises. The meter was found working properly. The recorded consumption was due to the leakage of electricity towards earth. Hence bill for Rs.31,211/- according to the recorded consumption has been issued to the consumer. The details of the bill are shown below. 2 Current reading on 25.09.2020 : 3616 Previous reading on 21.05.2020 : 576 Consumption : 3040 units Ex-system bill issued for 3036 units Rs Unit FC 70 2 140 CC 9.3 3036 28234.8 Duty 10% of CC 2823.48 Rent 12 1 12 31210.28 Regular bill for 25.09.2020 billed for 2 units Rs Unit FC 70 2 140 CC 12.8 Duty 10% of CC 1.28 154.08 Total bill for 09/2020 : Rs.31,365/- 3 Discussion, analysis and findings:- As hearing could not be conducted in usual way due to Covid 19 Protocol, a call conference was convened on 11.11.2020 based on the willingness of the petitioner. Both the petitioner and the respondent attended the hearing. Having considered all the documents submitted and deliberations during the hearing, the Forum has come to the following conclusions leading to the decision:- The petitioner is LT VII A consumer with connected load 360 watts. The petitioner is aggrieved by an exorbitant bill issued by the respondent in 9/2020. According to the respondent, the meter reading was not taken in 7/2020 and on taking the reading on 25.09.2020, the recorded consumption was noted as 3040 units for the period from 5/2020 to 9/2020, the bill amount of which came to Rs.31365/-. It is also reported that while taking the reading in 9/2020, the meter reader got electric shock from the meter box and earth leakage might be the cause of high consumption recorded in the meter. The respondent has not prepared any site mahassar after the site inspection. The petitioner stated that it is a small shop with one light and one fridge and his bill amount has never gone as high as this and the amount regularly paid by him is 1200 to 1300 only. 4 Considering the history of consumption of the petitioner, the forum has the opinion that the present bill prepared for Rs.31,365/- to a premises where connected load of 360 watts only exists, is not admissible before the rules of natural justice. Thus the Forum is inclined to fix the energy consumption of 7/2020 and 9/2020 as the average of previous 3 bi months. The respondent shall revise the disputed bill of Rs.31,365/- taking the consumption for bi month 7/2020 and 9/2020 as the average of previous 3 bi month bills 1/2020,11/2019 and 9/2019. (i.e exempting the lockdown period) The petition is disposed off accordingly. DECISION:- 1. The petition is allowed. 2. The bill for Rs.31,365/- is quashed. Bill shall be revised as ordered above. th Dated this the 19 day of Nov, 2020. Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- Lekha Rani R Robin Peter Beena Gopinath.S Member Member Chairperson. Endt.on CGRF-NR/OP 70/2020-21/ 221/24/11/2020 Forwarded to: 1)Sri. Bhargavan O K,, If the petitioner is not satisfied with the above order of this Akshsya, Forum, he is at liberty to prefer appeal before the State Akshaya Grocery, Electricity Ombudsman, Charangattu Bhavan Building No. P O Iriveri 34/895, Mamangalam- Anchumana Road, Edappally, Cochin – Chakkarakkal, 682024 (Ph: 0484 2346488) within 30 days from date of Kannur Dt. receipt of this order. 5 2) The Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub Division, KSEB Ltd, Eaichur, Kannur District. Copy submitted to:- Chief Engineer (Distribution – North), Kozhikode. Copy to: 1. The Secretary,KSEB Ltd., Vydyuthibhavanam, Thiruvananthapuram. 2. Deputy Chief Engineer, Electrical Circle, Kannur, Kannur District. 3. The Executive Engineer, Electrical Division, Kannur, KSEB Ltd, Kannur District. Forwarded 4. The Assistant Engineer, Electrical Section, Chakkarakkallu, Sd/- KSEB Ltd, Kannur District. Chairperson. 6 .