M P PASHCHIM KSHETRA VIDYUT VITRAN COMPANY LIMITED Vs. RATAN LAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal is by the opposite party, MPSEB, aggrieved by the order dated 27.5.2006, passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ujjain.

(2.) THE facts in brief are that the respondent has a 3 HP connection, No. 3078, installed at his well. Till December 2003, electricity for 3 HP farmers was free of cost, as per the Government directions. In January 2004, the respondent was given the option of taking either a metered connection or getting bills on the flat rate. The respondent opted for a metered connection. The respondent states that his meter was installed in January 2004. This is disputed by the appellant, who state that though a meter was given to him it could not be installed, as he did not provide a platform and shelter for the meter. According to MPSEB, the meter was installed only in February, 2006. In December 2005, a bill for Rs. 14,736 was sent to the respondent, in which the billing had been done on a flat rate.

(3.) THE respondent has also averred that due to a dry spell, for 2 years, no cultivation was done nor was any electricity consumed, as his well did not have water.