Mr. Justice L. Manoharan, President—The complainant in O.P. 43/98 on the file of the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Kollam is the appellant. The grievance of the complainant was that the opposite party served a bill alleging to his having consumed excess energy than what was permissible. He maintained that the meter is faulty and, therefore, he is not liable to pay the same. The opposite party in their version sought to justify the bills maintaining that the concerned meter was replaced on 30.10.1996 and the replaced meter recorded the consumption of 1430 units for the period from 30.10.1996 to 3/97. The complainant had to be assessed for the period of six months prior to 10/96. Since the defective meter was working in the premises from 3/97 to 9/97, once the mistake was discovered the correct bill was issued. It is also contended that as per the decision of the Kerala High Court in O.P. 5930/85, the opposite party is entitled to rectify the mistake and demand proper charges due from the consumer for the consumption of the actual energy. Therefore, they maintained that the grievance of the complainant cannot be accepted. Before the District Forum the complainant produced E