2011 Supreme(All) 3091
[2012(2) ADJ 553]
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
BEFORE : SUDHIR AGARWAL, J.
KANPUR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY LTD. AND ANOTHER ...Petitioners
Versus
STATE OF U.P. AND OTHERS ...Respondents
(Civil Misc. Writ Petition No. 70238 of 2010, decided on 22nd November, 2011)
Mridul Tripathi for the Petitioners; C.S.C., A.N. Singh and B.C. Rai for the Respondents.
Headnote:Electricity Supply Code, 2005—Paragraph 7.7.2—Electricity connection—Application—Denial/Harassment—Delay and latches—Complaint to DCGRF (District Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum)—Order dated 20.7.2010 passed by Electricity Ombudsman confirming order dated 18.2.2010 of DCGRF awarding damages of Rs. 9095 at the rate of Rs. 85 per day for 114 days in accordance with paragraph 7.7.2 of Electricity Supply Code, 2005—Both authorities below found that delay and latches on part of petitioners was fully proved and fortified—Hence damages in accordance with rules prescribed in Paragraph 7.7.2 was to be imposed which has been imposed by means of impugned order and Electricity Ombudsman have confirmed it—Petition is wholly frivolous, unwarranted and could have been avoided—Thus, petition dismissed with cost—Quatified to Rs. 5,000. [Paras 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13]
Hon’ble Sudhir Agarwal, J.—Heard Sri Tripathi, learned counsel for the petitioners and perused the record.
2. The writ petition is directed against order dated 20.7.2010 passed by Electricity Ombudsman confirming order dated 18.2.2010 of District Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum awarding damages of Rs. 9095/- at the rate of Rs. 85/- per day for 114 days in accordance with paragraph 7.7.2 of Electricity Supply Code, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as ‘Code, 2005’).
3. It appears that respondent No. 4 applied for an electric connection at premises 8/56-C, Arya Nagar, Kanpur but the electric connection was not released. In the situation, respondent No. 4 approached District Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (hereinafter referred to as ‘DCGRF’) in Complaint No. 55 of 2009 which was allowed vide order dated 29.7.2009 observing as under :
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vkns’k dk ikyu ,d ekg ds vUnj lqfuf’pr fd;k tk;A**
4. The petitioners still did not comply with the said order, and, instead released an electric connection to respondent No. 4 only on 28.8.2009 and that too without installing any meter. The respondent No. 4 complained that despite repeated demand meter was not installed. He approached DCGRF vide Complaint dated 28.11.2009 seeking a direction that since the petitioners have violated the provisions of Supply Code, 2005, appropriate action be taken against them directing them for installation of meter and award damages in accordance with Supply Code, 2005.
5. The above complaint was contested by petitioners. They submitted reply dated 21.1.2010 whereafter Complaint No. 128 of 2009 was decided finally vide order dated 18.2.2010 and DCGRF awarded damages of Rs. 9095/- to petitioners in accordance with paragraph 7.7.2 of Supply Code, 2005. In the meantime and during the pendency of said complaint, meter was installed at the premises of respondent No. 4 on 21.12.2009.
6. The petitioners aggrieved by aforesaid award of damages filed an application/appeal before Electricity Ombudsman under Regulation 8.2. of UPERC (Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum) and Electricity Ombudsman Regulations, 2007 (hereinafter referred to as ‘Regulation 2007’) which has been rejected by means of impugned order dated 20.7.2010.
7. Sri Tripathi, learned counsel for the petitioners contended that since the meter was not available hence electricity connection was