GANESHKA KANOI TEA CO P LTD Vs. ASSAM STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The writ petitions listed above pose identical questions. Hence, all the petitions are disposed of by this common judgment.

(2.) The petitioners are existing consumers of power supplied by the Assam State Electricity Board, hereinafter referred to as the 'Board'. The writ petitioners have been served with notices of additional demand for payment of enhanced load security in pursuance of the amendment of Clause 7(c) of the Terms and Conditions of Supply, 1998 carried out by Resolution No.9 dated 29.7.2000. The amendment was circulated by the Chief Engineer (Commercial) by letter dated 16.8.2000 which provide for deposit of an amount in cash/bank draft/bank guarantee against connected load as load security by the prospective and existing customers raised as per revised schedule of tariff. The petitioners, aggrieved by the demand, have filed the petitions challenging the amendment and the additional bills raised on such amendment.

(3.) The grounds of challenge available in the writ petitions and the additional affidavits are summarized below : -