M/s. Decor Mats Private Limited vs Kerala State Electricity Board and Others

V. Chitambaresh, J.—The penalty imposed for alleged non-segregation of power load and light load is under challenge in this writ petition. A sum of Rs. 2,29,774/- has been demanded under Ext. P4 notice issued by the Special Officer (Revenue). The petitioner contends that there has infact been a segregation of power load and light load. The petitioner further contends that the Special Officer (Revenue) is concerned with billing only and not with matters of this nature. The Kerala State Electricity Board contends that the petitioner has not installed separate meters for light load and power load. The demand made under Ext. P4 is warranted as per the relevant provisions of the tariff order. It is only proper that the petitioner is directed to move the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum to resolve the dispute. Such remedy is very much open to the petitioner under Regulation 56(2) of the KSEB Terms and Conditions of Supply, 2005.

I permit the petitioner to move the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and seek ventilation of his grievances. The petitioner shall move the forum within a period of two weeks from today and seek appropriate interim and final orders. There will be a stay of disconnection of the electricity supply pursuant to Ext. P4 demand notice issued to the petitioner. This will be subject to the condition that the petitioner pays a sum of Rs. 50,000/- towards the demand within a period of one month from today. I make it clear that the payment would be subject to the decision of the Consumer Grievance Redressal forum or the appeal therefrom to the Ombudsman. The Writ Petition is disposed of as above.