SRI P.K.PANDA, HON’BLE PRESIDENT … The factual matrix of case is that, the complainant had availed a pipe drinking water connection to his house vide consumer No.680 since 2006 and since beginning he was paying the charges regularly. But without any reasonable cause or without any prior intimation to the complainant, the Ops stoped supplying the water to the house of the complainant from the Ist Oct’2008. The complainant many times visited to the office of OP-3 and requested to fix the problem and also on 24.07.2014 and 16.07.2018 the complainant had submitted written representation requesting the Ops for restoring the water supply and to wave out the bill amounts for the non supply period. After so long period i.e.on 01.11.2018 the service of water supply was given. The Ops has not yet issued the correct bill waving out the amount of Rs.8996/-,for non supply period. It is worthwhile to submit here that, the piped water supply to the house of the complainant is the only and main source of drinking water and due to the long interruption of the said service caused to the complainant and to family a great physical and mental agony. Hence he prayed to direct the OP.s to waive out the water supply charges i.e. Rs.8996/- from th supply interruption period i.e. from 01.10.2008 to 31.10.2018 , besides to pay Rs.50,000/- as compensation and Rs.5,000/- towards cost of litigation.
2. The complainant has filed a petition along with annexure one bill, letters dt.24.07.2014 and dt.16.07.2019 of complainant. Also filed a letter issued by the OP-2 to OP-3 vide Memo No.1379,dt.2.8.14 and No.200/2023. The OP.s neither appeared nor filed their counter in the case despite chances given since one year of its admission, hence they set ex parte. Heard the case minutely and perused the record. The counsel for complainant filed demanding letter of Rs.16,345/ and prayer for its quash as illegal and unlawful and also prayed to dis-connect the supply to the premises of the complainant house.
3. It reveals from the record that, the complainant has availed a water supply connection on con.No.680 and he regularly paid the bill amounts on consumption. When the water supply stopped by the Ops, he and his family suffer a lot and the bill amount was defected. The complainant approached many times to the Ops as well as he writes letters to the Ops and the OP-2 on his response write a letter to the OP-3 for enquiry to inspect the residence of the complainant. But for no action taken by the OP.3 till date of filling this case. Hence aggrieved complainant approached the OPs for several times but for no action on his request, hence this complaint.
4. On perusal of record and observing the transactions it is seen that, despite service of notice of this Commission and chances allowed since 2020, the OP.s did not cared to appear or filed their counter in the case. The complainant contends that, he deposited regular bill amounts as per demand of OP.s for the water connection, but the OP.3 was stopped water supply to the consumer without prior notice to the complainant. Hence , the Ops found deficient in their service, which amount to deficiency in service under CPA. As thus, we allowed the complaint against the OP.s with cost.
ORDER
i. The demand of water supply charges of Rs.16345/- issued by OP.s is here by quashed and the OP.s are also directed to dis-connect the water supply in the premises of complainant house inter alia, to pay a sum of Rs.7,000/- (Rupees Seven Thousands) as compensation and Rs.3000/- as cost of litigation to the complainant.
ii. All the above directions shall be complied with in 30 days from receipt of this order, failing which, the total sum will bear 12% interest per annum till its realization.
(Pronounced in the day on 19th day of Jan’ 2024).
Sd/- Sd/-
MEMBER PRESIDENT
Memo No.___________/ Dated____________/2024.
Copy to the party concerned.
President
Dist.CDR Commission,Nabarangpur
