Judgment

RANGANATH MISRA, J.:- Each of these writ petitions is by a consumer of electric energy which has entered into a contract with the Haryana State Electricity Board (Board for short), and challenge in these petitions under Article 32 of the Constitution is to the enhancement of security unilaterally made by the Board bath in respect of meter as also for the payment of the energy dues. Clause 22 of the standard contract stipulates:

"22. Security Deposit :

(a) Before commencing or resuming Supply to a consumer the Board may require the consumer to lodge with the Board as security for the payment by the consumer of his monthly bills and for the value of the meters and/or other apparatus belonging to the Board and installed at the consumers premises a deposit, which may not be transferable, calculated as follows:

Rs. 10.00 per KW of connected load or part thereof in the case of domestic; Rs. 20/- per KW of connected load or part thereof in case of commercial and Rs. 30.00/- per KW of connected load or part thereof in case of industrial/agricultural/bulk supply/street lighting consumers plus the following amount per meter:-

(1) to (3) x x x

(4) For medium industrial supply and bulk supp