MINISTRY OF TELECOMMUNICATION, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Vs. STEELEX AGENCIES

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal arises out of an order dated 4.2.1997 passed by the Cuttack District Forum quashing the disputed telephone bills, directing the appellants to prepare fresh bill on the basis of the average of the previous six bi -monthly bills and to restore the telephone line of the respondent.

(2.) THE respondent filed the complaint alleging excess billing towards telephone charges. His case is that he received the telephone bill amounting to Rs. 24,375/ - representing local call charges for the period from 25.10.1992 to 25.12.1992 and another bill for a sum of Rs. 21,751/ - for the period from 25.12.1992 to 25.2.1993. As the bills did not represent the correct state of affairs, he lodged complaint. He also sent an Advocate notice to the concerned department but it yielded no result. In the circumstances, he filed the complaint alleging deficiency in service on the part of the Telecom Department.

(3.) THE District Forum held that the departmental instructions as to how to deal with the complaint relating to excess bill were not followed and accordingly it quashed the impugned bills and directed the department to issue fresh bills by preparing on the basis of the average of the previous six bi -monthly bills.