PRESIDENT, DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, SAMBALPUR

Consumer Complaint No.- 199/2024

Present-Dr. Ramakanta Satapathy, President,

  Sri. SadanandaTripathy, Member,

Swapneswar Seth, Aged about 74 years,

S/O-late Sitaram Seth

R/O-Khinda, PO/PS-Dhanupali,

Dist-Sambalpur.                                                    ……………..Complainant

Vrs

1. Kailash Bala(S.D.E.O.)

Electrical Deptt. Dhanupali,  Sambalpur-768005.

2. Sanjit Nayak (S.E.)

Electrical Deptt. Ainthapali, Sambalpur-768004

3. Sujit Nayak (J.E.) Electrical Deptt.

Dhama, Sambalpur-768113.

4. Daktar Rai(Employee),

Electrical Deptt. Dhama, Sambalpur-768113.

5. Sunil Biswal ( Employee),

Electrical Deptt. Dhama, Sambalpur-768113.        ……….....Opp.Parties

Counsels:-

1. For the Complainant         :- Self
2. For the O.P.s                       :- Samapika Mohanty & Anurag Dash

Date of Filing:29.06.2024,  Date of Hearing :04.11.2024,  Date of Judgement :26.11.2024

Presented by Dr. Ramakanta Satapathy, PRESIDENT

1. The case of the Complainant is that the Complainant is a beneficiary under “Antodaya Anna Jojana” having card Number 28060711084. The Government of Orissa was providing electricity. The O.Ps converted the B.P.L. line to consumer line in September 2021. The O.Ps demanded Rs. 13,000/- and Rs. 12,000/- and on protest disconnected the power supply on 17.10.2022. The Power was not supplied till three months but the O.Ps were providing bills. On 10.03.2023 the O.P.No.2 was informed. On 12.01.2023 new meter was installed. Four times meter has been changed. Again on 25.02.2024 power supply was disconnected. The S.D.E.O. was informed but no any action was taken. Since last four months higher bill is coming. The meter has been hacked. Being harassed by the O.Ps complaint has been filed.
2. The O.Ps in reply submitted that Consumer NO. 4162-3310-0632 was allotted to the Complainant with a permitted load of 0.11 KW under LT/Domestic category with meter serial No. TPWODL-1119333. Up to August 2024 arrear bill of Rs. 11,591/- are not maintainable before this Commission.

The Complainant availed electricity connection under “Kutir Jyoti Scheme” since 01.09.2013 with subsidies tariff fixed charge of Rs. 80/- per month. Under the scheme only single point line connection is available to BPL. In the OERC from FY 2016-17 monthly consumption under Kutir Jyoti Scheme. The Complainant has used more than 30 units every month, accordingly he was classified as consumer to LT/Domestic category since November 2016.

The average consumption from Feb. 2024 to July 2024 is 328 units/month.

From 01.09.2023 meter Sl. No. WESCO 9134523 was installed which became defective. On 19.12.2020 meter No. LW 626442 was installed. When the said meter run defective meter No. TPWODL 1119333 was installed on 12.01.2023. Physical verification was made on 11.09.2024. The Complainant is irregular is payment. The meter is now running properly.

3. Perused the statement of account submitted by the O.Ps and documents submitted. The following observation are made:

1. The Complainant availed the Kutir Jyoti Connection with permitted load of 0.11KW whereas his consumption is more than 30 units per month.
2. From time to time when the meters became defective new meter has been installed. From physical verification Report dated 11.09.2024 it reveals that the meter is running properly.
3. The Complainant is irregular is payment for which the long accumulation it self creating doubt that excess billing has been made.
4. Following OERC Regulation the arrear have been shown.
5. The Complainant has not come to the Commission with clean hand.

Taking into consideration the circumstances of the case following order is passed:

ORDER

The complaint is dismissed against the O.Ps. The Complainant has not come to the Commission with clean hand. No compensation and cost.

Order pronounced in the open court on 26^th day of Nov, 2024.

Supply frees copies to the parties.