M/S. Kailashpati Cement Ltd v. The State of Assam and 9 Ors

ORDER Date : 25.09.2024 Heard Mr. T. Deuri, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. K.P. Pathak, learned counsel for the APDCL.

¶2The petitioner in WP(C) No.7400/2017 has put to challenge the assessment bill dated 02.06.2017 raised against meter No. X0005088 for Rs.1,41,31,520/- issued by the APDCL, levelling allegation of malpractice regarding tampering of the electricity meter, on the basis of the laboratory inspection report of the meter dated 30.05.2017. In WP(C) No.7409/2017, the petitioner has challenged the assessment bill dated

09.12.2016 made on meter No. ASEG 5363 for the period from

01.08.2015 to 30.05.2016, amounting to Rs.44,47,413/-. He has also put to challenge the meter testing report dated 12.05.2016 made on the meter No. ASEG 5363.

¶3The meter No. ASEG 5363 is the older meter, which had been Page No.# 5/6 replaced by the new meter bearing No. X0005088.

¶4Mr. K.P. Pathak, learned counsel for the APDCL submits that there is an efficacious alternative remedy available, which should be availed off by the petitioner. He accordingly submits that the writ petition should be dismissed due to there being an alternative remedy available.

¶5I have heard the learned counsels for the parties.

¶6The issue that has to be decided is with regard to the bills generated due to the slow running of the earlier electricity meter No.ASEG 5363. The earlier meter was then replaced by the new meter bearing No. X0005088. The allegation of the APDCL is that the new meter was tampered with by the petitioner. The question of how the earlier meter was running slowly is a technical issue and this Court is of the view that as there is an alternative remedy available, the petitioner should avail off the alternative remedy. In respect of the slow running of meter No. ASEG 5363, Chapter-III, Clause 3.1(d)(e) and 3.3 of the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (Redressal of Consumer Grievance) Regulation, 2022 (hereinafter referred to as the '2022 Regulation') provides the procedure to be followed in terms of the complaints related to meter, billing etc. Further, a party aggrieved with the finding made by the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum can file an appeal to the Ombudsmen under Chapter IV of the 2022 Regulation. In respect to the allegation of meter tampering, the provisions of Sections 126 and 127 of the Electricity Act, 2003 provide for the redressal of the said issue. Page No.# 6/6

¶7In view of the above provisions of law, the writ petitions are dismissed, with liberty being given to the petitioner to approach the appropriate forum for redressal of his grievance. The same should be done within a period of 30 days from today. No coercive action should be taken against the petitioner in terms of the electricity assessment bills in the meantime.

JUDGE Comparing Assistant

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