RAJASTHAN STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD vs Mohammad Yusuf

THIS appeal has been filed by the Rajasthan State Electricity Board, Jaipur and the Assistant Engineer (Distribution I) R.S.E.B., Jodhpur against the order of the District Forum, Jodhpur dated 3.12.1992 whereby the District Forum partly allowed the complaint filed by the complainant and ordered that electricity consumption charges on the basis of average will not be charged for a period more than six months before 13.8.1988, the date on which the meter was changed by the R.S.E.B. at Jodhpur

THIS case furnishes an instance to show as to how the R.S.E.B. officers collide with the complainant in order to give unfair advantage. It is quite clear that when there is a collision between the officers of R.S.E.B. and an electricity consumer, it is obviously for the benefit of both the officer concerned and the consumer, but to the determent of the R.S.E.B. An electricity connection was supplied to Lal Mohammad, father of the complainant on 17.11.1985 at Jodhpur. It is very interesting to note that a totally stopped meter was installed on 17.11.1985 when the electricity connection was for the first time supplied. The meter reading records of 86-87, 87-88, and 1988-1989 were produced by the Opp. Parties. These meter reading records would go to show that throughout the year 1986-87, the reading of the meter was 5 and on several occasions, the house of the consumer was reported to be locked. During the entire year 1987-88 the meter reading remained the same as 5 and nil consumption was recorded. This state of affairs continued till August, 1988 when the meter was changed. During the entire period upto 13.8.1988 electricity bills on the basis of minimum charges were sent to the complainant for about three years and the complainant paid these minimum charges bills. It is clear that for three years despite nothing that the meter was not working from the date the electric supply was given to the complainant in the year 1985, the Assistant Engineer (Distribution I) R.S.E.B., Jodhpur took no steps to change the meter and to instal a correct and accurate meter. Obviously he did this to give undue benefit to the consumer of paying minimum charges for three years.

Electricity consumption charges can only be levied on the basis of the reading of a correct and accurate meter and a meter cannot be allowed to remain defective for three years. The District Forum, Jodhpur was liberal enough to have allowed the appellants to charge on average basis in respect of a period of six months preceding 13.8.1988 and not beyond that. The R.S.E.B. should have better taken stringent disciplinary action against the AEN concerned who has caused wrongful loss to the R.S.E.B. and wrongful gain to himself.

THIS appeal has no force in it and it is hereby dismissed. It is ordered that the Registrar will send a copy of the order to Shri P.N. Bhandari, Chairman, R.S.E.B., Jaipur for taking suitable disciplinary action against the concerned Assistant Engineer of the Rajasthan State Electricity Board. Appeal dismissed.