28.04.2025 Sl. No.09 Ct. No.15 Suman WPA 3718 of 2025 T. Rajesh Rao -vs-

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Mohammad Mahmud ..for the petitioner Mr. Somnath Bose ..for CESC Limited The petitioner seeks an electricity connection for the premises under his occupation, specifically at 493, Ground Floor, 493 Grand Trunk Road, Shibpur, District-Howrah-711102.

The report filed by the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) is reproduced below:

“It appears from inspection that there are large number hutments of same category at the premises. The petitioner also lives in such a hutment establishment having one room and a small varandah. The room has few gadgets like one refrigerator, one fan and two lights. All the inmates of those hutments share common privy. Photographs have been enclosed herewith.

The petitioner like other inmates enjoying supply from a block meter bearing 3822014 which has 218 number of beneficiaries. The hutment of the petitioner does not constitute a separate establishment for obtaining a single meter.

The block meter is having sufficient load capacity of 34.34 KW to cater all the hutments including the hutment of the petitioner whose requirement is not more than 1 KW.

In view of the same, the application for separate supply was rejected.”

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of CESC Limited submits that, apart from the petitioner, no other occupant has sought a separate electricity connection.

I am not inclined to accept the report as submitted. The report itself reveals that 218 consumers are receiving electricity through a single block meter.

In light of the fact that a single block meter is catering to the needs of 218 consumers, the necessity for an additional block meter for the relevant premises cannot be overlooked.

Accordingly, liberty is granted to the petitioner to apply for a block meter in his own name.

CESC Limited is directed to install a block meter in the name of the petitioner, subject to the petitioner's compliance with all necessary formalities, within a period of one month from the date of this order.

Accordingly, WPA 3718 of 2025 is disposed of. Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the learned advocates for the parties on usual undertakings.

(Kausik Chanda, J.