D K INDUSTRIES Vs. SUB-DIVISIONAL OFFICER ELECTRICITY OPERATION SUB-DIVN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The complainant owns Plot No. 36, Industrial Area, Chandigarh where D.K. Industries (Regd.) was running business and the complainant was one of the partners. The aforesaid industrial unit possessed three power connections of the total magnitude of 180 KW. It has been further averred that there was a recession in his unit and w.e.f. 10.9.1993 the premises were let out to M/s. Laxmi Agro Industrial Consultants & Exports Pvt. Ltd. who started manufacture of acid etc. It was on 26.2.1996 that the complainant received an electricity bill to the tune of Rs. 8,76,852/- as sundry charges. A copy of the bill is Annexure C/3. In this complaint the aforesaid bill has been challenged alleging that there was no justification for levying sundry charges for the period July, 1989 to April, 1994 because whenever the electricity bills were received those were always paid regularly. The details of the electricity bills paid by him are contained in Annexure C/11, It has further been alleged that C.T. of the electricity meter of the complainant was burnt thrice. It was reported in time, the meter was changed by the respondents after receiving the required charges. One such payment was made on 29.4.1994 vide Receipt No. 339 (Annexure C/12).

(2.) IN the reply filed by the respondent, it has been averred that the complainant had three electric connections and the details thereof are given as under :

(3.) IT may be plausible to demand some arrears or say sundry charges provided there was pilferage or damage to any seal on the meter or other tangible outstanding amount. Here the Executive Engineer of the respondents specifically tells that there was no complaint regarding pilferage or damage to any seal from 1987 till date and in this case the meter in question was never referred to Electrical Inspector nor necessity was ever felt to instal a check meter. Thus it appeared to be no justification for demand of sundry charges.