Consumer Complaint No: 400/2007

Date of presentation: 20.11.2007

Date of decision: 25.11.2009

Purshotam Verma

… Complainant
Versus

Municipal Corportion, Shimla

Through its Commissiner and others
…Opposite Parties

For the complainant: Mr. Dheeraj Bansal, Advocate.

For the Opposite Parties: Mr. H.S.Upadhyay, Advocate.

O R D E R:

This order shall dispose of complaint filed under section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The complainant, has, contended that the water tariff bills issued on, 25.02.2004 amounting to Rs.1125/-, on, 29,06,2003, 14,07,2004 & 11.02.2006, amounting to Rs.903/-, Rs.1290/- and Rs.1831/- respectively, to the OPs, are, excessive as well as inflated, as, the meter reading shown, are, zero. The learned counsel for the OPs, has seriously refuted the contention as put forth by the learned counsel for the complainant.

2. Without adjudicating the complaint on merits, it is expedient and also in the interest of justice that the OPs, is, directed to hold an inquiry into controversy over which the parties are engaged and after an appraisal of the bills, as, issued to the consumers and on an investigation of the metered reading of the consumer, as also, qua, the authenticity of such meter reading, shall render, its, finding. It is made clear that in the above exercise, when the OPs proceeds to conduct an inquiry, it, shall issue prior notice to the complainant intimating him of the date and venue of the inquiry. The inquiry shall be conducted within forty five days after the date of receipt of copy of this order and a copy of the inquiry report shall also be placed on record. In case the complainant is prejudiced by the inquiry conducted by the OPs, he, shall be at liberty to approach this Forum afresh. In the mean time, the bill aforesaid is set aside and quashed, hence, in the above terms the complaint stands disposed of. The learned counsel for the parties have undertaken to collect the certified copy of this order from the office, free of cost, as per procedure. The file after due completion, be consigned to record room.

Announced on this, the 25th November, 2009.