- (1.) THE affidavit of the Chairman of the Board has been filed pursuant to our order dated 18.6.2002. After perusing this affidavit we pass the following order and issue hereinbelow the mention directions : (I) The Chairman shall file a fresh affidavit informing us the timeframe within which the work relating to underground cabling on major Roads of Ranchi Town shall be completed. In Para 5 (iii) of his affidavit he has skirted this issue; (II) The Chairman shall personally take up, telephonically as well by a written communication (Fax and Courier both) with the General Manager, South Eastern Railway, Kolkata the problem relating to the railways clearance as mentioned in Para 5(xii) of his affidavit. He shall inform and request the General Manager, S.E. Railway, the desire of this Court that the clearance from the Railway be accorded on top priority basis and within a period of one week, unless the Railways are of the opinion that the clearance on any practical consideration cannot be allowed. (III) Since the affidavit of the Chairman clearly and categorically states that the system of private billing etc. would be in operation by 1.10.2002 and that "there the Board will be able to ensure that the consumers get their bill regularly from 1.10.2002", it is expected that if such a system is not in operation by then, the consumers can assert their right of being absolved from paying electricity charges, of course this issue to be decided by this Court only in these proceedings.
(2.) THE Board undertakes before us that it shall with reasonable despatch and top priority take steps to ensure that the Board modernizes the repair/maintenance structure and apparatus and that the hydraulic lifts etc. are purchased for looking after the maintenance/repair works. The Board will also ensure that the modernization is brought about in every such activity of the Board and all primitive methods are replaced by modern gadgets.
(3.) IT is agreed and admitted by everyone that in case of any problem, or whenever there is electric failure, break down or load shedding the consumers have no access to any board office or functionary either for any enquiry or for registering their complains. The Chairman of the Board who is present in person in Court and Mr. V.P. Singh, learned counsel appearing for the Board, agree that undoubtedly consumers should have access to any such mechanism. We, accordingly, direct that within two weeks from today the Board shall ensure that adequate telephones are installed and numbers are publicized for the information of the consumers so that whenever any consumer has any such complain or needs any enquiry he has access to his telephone number. Even if it has already been done, it shall be repeated.;