TELECOMMUNICATION DEPTT. vs BUTIBAI AGRAWAL

THIS is an appeal against the order dated 2.6.1997 passed by Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Satna in their Case No. 69/1995, wherein the Forum has directed the appellant to restore the telephone connection of respondent without payment of deposit and to prepare telephone bill afresh and to pay compensation, etc. for wrongful disconnection of telephone No. 2385 of the respondent for non-payment of excess billing charges.

THE undisputed facts of the case are as under: (i) That this telephone was without STD facility. (ii) That earlier to the bill for the period July-September, 1993, his bills used to be for about 100 to 150 calls. (iii) That suddenly the bill for period July- September, 1993 came for Rs. 5,193.00. (iv) That the Telephone Department exempted payment for 2600 calls in view of the earlier calling pattern and subsequently General Manager Telephones exempted further 900 calls. (v) SDO phones in his report dated 2.2.1994 reported spurt and recommended rebate of 3000 calls.

The appellant has failed to explain as to how the order of the District Forum is wrong or that there has been no deficiency on the part of the appellant.

The very facts that phone was Non-STD phone, spurt was reported on enquiry, the deptt. itself gave a rebate of 3500 calls and admitted that previous calling pattern was only 100 to 120 calls. There has been "deficiency in service" by the appellant and the complaint of the appellant was not attended properly.

AS such we do not find any reason to disagree with the finding of the District Forum. The appeal is, therefore, dismissed, and order of the Forum is maintained with however the modification that compensation amount is reduced from Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 500/-. Appeal dismissed.