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 MEENA .S : CHAIRPERSON E.R. SREELATHA SELVAM : MEMBER K. K. KUNHIKRISHNAN : MEMBER OP NO.123/2016-17 PETITIONER : 1. Sri. U. K. Ali, Thanima, Azhiyur Chungam, Rly,Station Road, Azhiyur – P.O., Kozhikode - 673309. RESPONDENTS : 1. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub Division, KSEB Ltd, Muttungal, Kozhikode District. 2. The Assistant Engineer, Electrical Section, KSEB Ltd., Azhiyur, Kozhikode District. ORDER Case of the Petitioner:- The petitioner’s connection bearing consumer no. 1167430004187 comes under Electrical Section, Azhiyoor. The petition is against the abnormality noticed in the bill issued to the consumer on 06/10/2016. In the above bill Rs. 6044/- was charged for 132 units and this value seemed to be very high compared to the bills of previous billing cycles. In the bill dated 06/08/2016, the units consumed were 370 units and the energy charge was only Rs.1621/-. The Energy charge for 915 units recorded in the bill dated 04/06/2016 was Rs.6744/-. It is alleged that the licensee issued a huge bill for a comparatively lower consumption as per bill dated 06/10/2016. The petitioner brings the matter before the Forum and prays for examination of the issue and refund of excess amount. Version by the Respondent:- The petitioner is a domestic consumer with connected load of 10kW and the present caution deposit is Rs.6396/-. The energy consumption of the petitioner is comparatively high as his electric connection holds a high connected load. The licensee provided the details of energy consumption pattern of the consumer. 12/2015 - 734 units 02/2016 - 1051 units 04/2016 - 740 units 2 06/2016 - 915 units 08/2016 - 370 units 10/2016 - 132 units (final reading 15659) On observing a tendency of decreasing consumption and fall in consumption on 10/2016 the licensee placed the status of the meter as suspected faulty. The Sub Engineer of the licensee conducted an inspection at the premises and noted that the final reading remained stationary when his electrical appliances were made working. The meter was declared as faulty and replaced with a new one on 14/10/2016. The new meter showed a consumption of 172 units when it was checked on 14/11/2016. The bill for the month 10/2016 was calculated for 902 units on the basis of the average consumption after December 2015. As all steps initiated by the licensee are in order, the licensee prays the Forum to dismiss the petition Discussion, analysis and findings:- Hearing of the case was convened on 22/11/2016, 17/12/2016 and 07/01/2017. Having considered all the documents submitted and the deliberations during the hearing, the forum has come to the following conclusions leading to the decision;- 3 The Forum observed that the bill dated 06/10/2016 was not based on the consumption of 132 units recorded in the energy meter as the licensee noted some abnormality in the functioning of the said meter. The meter was replaced with a new one on 14/10/2016. The billing in the case of defective meter is explained Under Regulation 125 of Kerala Electricity Supply Code, 2014. The regulation states that the consumer “shall be billed on the basis of average consumption of the past 3 billing cycles immediately preceding the date of the meter being found or reported defective”. The bimonthly consumption recorded on 06/08/2016 was 370 units; but the premise was under disconnection from 04/06/2016 to 30/06/2016. Hence the average consumption taken by the respondent at 902 units was correct. Order:- 1) The petition is allowed in part. 2) Installment facility (4 nos.) can be granted, if the petitioner requests for. Dated this the 9 th day of March, 2017. Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- E.R. Sreelatha Selvam K. K.Kunhikrishnan Meena.S Member II Member III Chairperson 4 Endt.on CGRF-NR/OP 123/2016-17/ 1048/ 15 - 03-2017 To Sri. U. K. Ali, Thanima, Azhiyur Chungam, Rly,Station Road, Azhiyur – P.O., Kozhikode - 673309. Copy submitted to: Chief Engineer (Distribution - North), Copy to: 1. Deputy Chief Engineer, Electrical Circle, Vadakara. 2. The Executive Engineer, Electrical Division, Vadakara. 3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub Division, KSEB Ltd, Muttungal, Kozhikode District. 4. The Assistant Engineer, Electrical Section, Azhiyur, KSEB Ltd., Kozhikode District. 5 .