BISHNU MONDAL vs SENIOR STATION SUPERINTENDENT, W.B.S.E.B.

THIS appeal has arisen out of a judgment passed by the District Forum, 24-Parganas (North), Barasat dated 8.2.2001. The case of the complainant in brief is stated hereunder. The complainant is a consumer of WBSEB. He alleged before the Forum that after installation of the meter at his premises on 12.11.1992 till 8.8.1996 there was reading of the meter five times only and there was no reading of the meter from 8.8.1996 to 8.8.1999. It is contended by him that WBSEB did not take reading regularly but they used to send the bills to the complainant on regular basis. On one occasion the O.P. raised a bill for Rs. 8,302.17 for the meter reading on 8.9.1999. It is submitted by the complainant that such large amount accumulated on account of negligence of the O.P. in meter reading and bill raising. The complainant prayed before the Forum for permission for payment of the above mentioned amount by 8 instalments.

FORUM in its judgment allowed the case in part but without any cost. It directed the opposite party to recover the amount of the bill dated 20.6.2000 for the period from 9.1999 to 11.1999 by 12 monthly instalments of Rs. 390/- each payable by the 15th of each month commencing from February 2001 (15.2.2001). The O.P. was further directed to take meter readings regularly at usual interval and to raise the corresponding bills in conformity with actual reading of the meter and to serve the bills within 15 days of meter reading. Being dissatisfied with the above mentioned order the complainant appellant has preferred this appeal before the Commission. Sri Tapas Mondal is present on behalf of his father, Sri Bishnu Mondal, by filing a letter of authority. He submits that though the order of the Forum below is in his favour but no order has been given in respect of cost and compensation which he prayed for. For getting cost and compensation he has filed this appeal before this Commission.

We have carefully gone through the judgment of the Forum below and also considered all the papers and documents and notice that the Forum has clearly and elaborately explained his case. The appellant received a bill for a sum of Rs. 8,302.17 for the meter reading on 8.9.1999. In the Forum he prayed for permission to pay the aforesaid amount by 8 instalments. But in its judgment the Forum has granted 12 (twelve) instalments. So we are of the clear view that the Forum''s judgment is very much in order. We are not inclined to interfere with the judgment passed by the Forum dated 8.2.2001.

IN the light of this, we do not see any infirmity in the impugned order which is upheld. The appeal is dismissed on contest, however, without any cost. This appeal stands disposed of, accordingly. Appeal dismissed.