- (1.) THIS is an appeal under Section 15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 ( the Act ) directed against the order passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Raipur (hereinafter referred to as the District Forum ) in Complaint No. 584/2002. The District Forum has dismissed the complaint.
(2.) COMPLAINANT has averred that he is a consumer of the O.P. having a three -phase electric connection and is enjoying the facility on payment of regular bills. On 29.4.2000, the meter in his premises was replaced by an electronic meter and Sr. No. 000207774 was installed. Meter reading for the said connection was recorded by the O.Ps. and payment of bills raised was also being made regularly.
(3.) ON 26.8.2000, vigilance team of the O.P. in the absence of the complainant or his representative, opened the electronic meter and stated that the meter is not recording due to carbon in the cable joint of 2 phases in the CT wire. The complainant has no knowledge of the electronic meter or its components. On 13.9.2000, the complainant was served revised bill amounting to Rs. 1,95,213 for the preceding 6 months. Meter reading was recorded regularly by one Mr. Sharma an officer of the O.P. and the meter was examined in June, 2000 and found to be intact and in working order. Again in July, 2000 the meter was inspected by Mr. Meshram, an officer of the O.Ps., and found intact and in a working order. Even on 26.8.2000, the seals and the meter were found intact. It is prayed that despite the meter and seals being intact the revised bill for Rs. 1,95,213 be quashed and the amount deposited be directed to be adjusted in subsequent months. O.Ps. in reply have stated that the C.T. meter installed for the service connection was opened and inspected on 26.8.2000 in the presence of the complainant by 3 vigilance officers of the O.Ps. It was detected that the joints of R and Y phases of CT meter were carbonized resulting in non supply of electric current and lower reading was being registered in the meter. Therefore, a revised bill for 44606 units of consumption was issued. The consumption was estimated on the basis of average consumption between 29.4.2000 to 28.8.2000. It is stated that the Panchnama and the Inspection Report bear the signature of the complainant in token of his presence.;