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 II OP NO.123/2019-20 PETITIONER : Sri.Khader Haji,General Secretary,A C P M, Malappuram Jilla Committee,Ullannam Palathingal P.O, Parappanangdi, Malappuram-676303. RESPONDENTS : 1. Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub Division, Parappanangadi,Malappuram District- 676303 2. Assistant Engineer, Electrical Section, KSEB Ltd, Thirurangadi, Malppuram District- 673635 ORDER Case of the Petitioner:- The petitioner, Sri.Khader Haji, General Secretary, Anti- Corruption Peoples Movement, Parappanangadi, Malappuram district, comes under the jurisdiction of Electrical section Thirurangadi complaints on behalf of a group of concerned consumers that the electricity supply is purposely cut under the connivance of temporary works in the areas such as Parappanangadi, Thirurangadi, Chelari and Vallikkunnu. A sense of gross sluggishness is obvious on the part of board authorities. The message states that the supply would be cut at 8 am and restore by 5pm. But restoration of power would never occur as scheduled. It used to extend sometimes up to 8 pm. There is a caution from the part of haunted consumers that if the ongoing work keeps on continuing indefinitely, the board would bound to pay required/necessary compensation as per the consumer protection Act in prevalence. Therefore it is hereby prayed that a befitting order may please be issued to instruct the KSEBL authorities for reducing the amount of woes the consumers have been experiencing from intermittent power failures. Version by the Respondent:- The renovation works in and around Parappanangadi, Thirurangadi, Vallikkunnu and Chelari in Malappuram district are in full swing under the programme titled Dyuthi (2018-22) for a period of 4 years. Moreover with the direction/demand of local bodies and PWD department some additional works are also being carried out. When ever emergency works are undertaken it is informed to the valued consumers well in advance by means of SMS messages and vernacular dailies. Considering the inconvenience likely to cause to the consumers maximum precautionary measures are being taken. But due to unforeseen reasons if they were not informed the matter will be thoroughly examined and such lapses would not be allowed to be recurred. The petitioner stated that the power supply was failed at 8 am on 04.1.2010 and could be restored by 19.45 hrs only as against the publicity. Besides the voltage improvement work under the new scheme of Dyuthi, the transgrid 2.0 plan for the construction of high voltage 110KV,220KV and 400KV lines are under progress. Apart from the notified works in Malappuram district HT/EHT works from Nallalam to Madakkathara 220/110V multi circuit lines also being undertaken. As a part of ongoing works, the 110KV lines leading to Parappanangadi and Chelari sub stations the scheduled works on 04.1.2020 was required to be carried out and as such the supply had to be cut off. During the 220/110KV line drawing through towers, the restoration of power to 11KV feeders could be delayed for short spell of time. The licensee has been very keen in absolving unwanted harassment to the consumers and similarly certain directions are issued from time to time for causing minimum inconvenience possible. Above all, when ever such emergency works and developmental activities are in progress the whole hearted support from the public are expected/solicited. The entire episode has been intimated to the petitioner by the respondent. Hence it is requested that the Hon’ble Forum may be pleased to dismiss the case considering the facts and figures. Discussion, analysis and findi ngs :- The hearing of the case was convened on 06.3.2020.Both the Petitioner and Respondent attended. Having considered all the documents submitted and the deliberations during the hearing,the Forum has come to the following conclusions leading to the decision:- The petitioner representing a group of electricity consumers is mainly aggrieved by frequent interruptions in supply which is prolonging much more than the scheduled duration, in his locality. The petitioner is not at all satisfied with the performance of licensee under sections Parappanangadi, Thirurangadi, Chelari, Vallikunnu etc. No action will be taken by the authorities in timely restoration of supply as assured in their SMS sent to the consumers. The petitioner pointed out a particular day viz. 04.1.2020 on which day the interruption prolonged up to 7.45 PM. If the supply is not restored as scheduled ie. by 6 PM it causes heavy losses to electricity consumers. The relief sought by the petitioner is satisfactory reply to the matter brought to the notice of the Forum and Hon’ble Kerala Electricity Regulatory Commission. The respondent stated that switching off the supply is necessitated for carrying out various scheduled works such as system improvement works ‘dyuthi’, rearrangement in line and equipment connected with road widening work by PWD, local bodies etc. and prior intimation regarding interruption will be given to consumers and on certain days due to unexpected hindrances, the restoration could not be possible in the rescheduled hours. It is stated by the respondent that they had taken measures to avoid inconvenience to consumers by rescheduling the works on alternate days. The reason for the long duration interruption is also explained by the respondent both in the statement and during hearing. In connection with the transmission line stringing, the sub stations Chelari and Parappanangadi were shut down and the stations could be charged only after completion of the line work which prolonged due to some unexpected reasons. The petitioner also got convinced regarding the reasons at the time of hearing. On verification of the arguments of the respondent as well as the petitioner there is justification on both sides. The petitioner is eligible for uninterrupted power supply/timely restoration of supply in case of scheduled interruptions,and the respondent is duty bound to complete targeted works, deposit works etc in time. At the same time they have to ensure safety precautions while charging the line after completion of work. In order to give more justice to the consumers, it is felt to the Forum to have some modifications in the existing feeding arrangements by examining the issue. Hence the Executive Engineer, Electrical Division, Thirurangadi (the superior officer of the respondent) is directed to examine the issue in detail and do possible measures for the redressal of the grievance of the petitioner and an action taken report may be forwarded to the authority within a period of of 30 days. The petition is disposed off accordingly. DECISION:- 1. The petition is allowed. 2. The licensee shall carry out suitable modifications in the feeding arrangement. Dated this the 12 th day of Mar 2020 Sd/- Sd/- Lekha Rani R. Beena Gopinath. S Member II Chairperson Endt.on CGRF-NR/OP 123/2019-20/ 656 dt: 12/ 03/2020 Forwarded to: 1) Sri.V.Khader Haji, If the petitioner is not satisfied with the above order of General Secretary,A C P M, this Forum, he is at liberty to prefer appeal before Jilla Committee, State Electricity Ombudsman, Charangattu Bhavan Ullannam Palathingal P.O, Building No.34/895,Mamangalam,Anchumana Road, Parappanangadi, Edapally,Kochi-682024 (Ph: 04842346488) Malappuram-676303. within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order. 2) The Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub Division, KSEB Ltd, Parappanangadi, Malappuram District-676303 Copy submitted to: Chief Engineer (Distribution –North) , Kozhikode. Copy to: 1. The Secretary, KSEB Ltd., Vydyuthibhavanam, Thiruvananthapuram. 2. Deputy Chief Engineer, Electrical Circle, Tirur. 3. The Executive Engineer, Forwarded Electrical Division, Tirur. Sd/- 4. The Assistant Engineer, Chairperson Electrical Section, Thirurangadi. .