Harmit Singh and Another v. State of Punjab and Others

CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -1-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

INoTHEoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAoHIGHoCOURToATo CHANDIGARHo o 129o o o o o o o CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o DateoofoDecision:o08.05.2023.o o o o HARMIToSINGHoANDoANOTHERoo o ..oPetitionero Versuso o STATEoOFoPUNJABoANDoOTHERSo ...oRespondentso o o o CORAM:oHON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoVINODoS.oBHARDWAJ.o o o Present:oo Mr.oDavinderoSinghoKhurana,oAdvocate,ooo oo o o o forotheopetitioner.o o VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ,oJ.o(ORAL)o o Theo instanto writo petitiono hado beeno filedo foro seekingo issuanceo ofo directionsotootheorespondentsotooreleaseoelectricityoconnectionsoinofavouroofo theopetitionersoinotheolightoofotheojudgmentopassedoinotheomatteroofo"Heenao YadavoVs.oTheoStateoofoPunjaboandoothers,'obearingoCWPoNo.11735oofo 2010,odecidedoono02.08.2011oalongowithoaobunchoofopetitionso(AnnexureoP-2).oo

2.o Theo petitionerso haveo pleadedo thato theyo haveo builto theiro houseso ino Mullanpuroandohaveobeenorequestingotheorespondentsotoosupplyoelectricity.o Theyo movedoaorepresentationodatedo12.05.2022oandosubsequentoremindero datedo25.05.2022.oHowever,odespiteotheopetitionersobeingoreadyoandowillingo toofulfilloallorequirementsoandorespondentsobeingoboundounderoSectiono43oofo theoElectricityoAct,o2003,otooreleaseotheoconnection,otheoneedfulohasonotobeenoRAJ KUMAR ARORA CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -2-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

doneoandonooexplanationohasoalsoobeenofurnishedoforosuchonon-compliance.o Ito iso contendedo thato thato theo petitionerso areo entitledo too releaseo ofo theo electricityoconnectionoinolightoofoprecedentojudgments.ooooooo

3.o Learnedo counselo foro theo petitionerso haso beeno confrontedo witho theo provisionso ofo Sectiono 42o (5)o ando (7)o ofo theo Electricityo Act,o 2003o ando Regulationsoframedothereunderowhichoprovideoforoanoefficaciousoalternativeo remedyo too theo petitionerso ando persono seekingo releaseo ofo electricityo connection.ooo

4.oo Sectiono42oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003oprovidesoforoestablishmentoofo aoForumofororedressaloofogrievancesoofoconsumersoandotheoauthorityotoobeo knownoasoOmbudsman.oo o Theo relevanto provisionso ofo Sectiono 42o ofo theo Electricityo Acto areo reproducedohereinafterobelow:-o "Sectiono42.o(Dutiesoofodistributionolicenseeoandoopenoaccess):o---oo o

(1)k Itoshallobeotheodutyoofoaodistributionolicenseeotoodevelopo ando maintaino ano efficient,o co-ordinatedo ando economicalo distributionosystemoinohisoareaoofosupplyoandotoosupplyoelectricityo inoaccordanceowithotheoprovisionsocontainedoinothisoAct.oo xxxoxxxoxxxo

(5)oEveryodistributionolicenseeoshall,owithinosixomonthsofromotheo appointedodateoorodateoofograntoofolicence,owhicheveroisoearlier,o establishoaoforumofororedressaloofogrievancesoofotheoconsumersoino accordanceowithotheoguidelinesoasomayobeospecifiedobyotheoStateo Commission.oo

(6)o Anyo consumer,o whoo iso aggrievedo byo non-redressalo ofo hiso grievancesounderosub-sectiono(5),omayomakeoaorepresentationoforo theoredressaloofohisogrievanceotooanoauthorityotoobeoknownoaso CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -3-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

Ombudsmano too beo appointedo oro designatedo byo theo Stateo Commission.oo

(7)oTheoOmbudsmanoshallosettleotheogrievanceoofotheoconsumero withinosuchotimeoandoinosuchomanneroasomayobeospecifiedobyotheo StateoCommission."o o

5.oo Theo Punjabo Electricityo Regulatoryo Commissiono ino exerciseo ofo theo powersoconferredouponoitobyoSectiono181oreadowithoSectionso43,o44,o45,o46,o 47,o48,o50,o55,o56,o57,o58,o59,o126,o127,o135,o152,o154oando163oofotheo Electricityo Act,o 2003o notifiedo theo Punjabo Stateo Electricityo Regulatoryo Commissiono (Electricityo Supplyo Codeo ando Relatedo matters),o Regulationso2014.oClauseo25oofotheoaforesaidoElectricityoSupplyoCodeodealso withotheocomplaint'soredressalosystem.oTheorelevantoprovisionoreadsothus:-o "25.3oForumoforoRedressaloofoGrievancesoofotheoConsumerso oAnyocomplainantoaggrievedobyonon-redressaloofohisogrievanceo byo theo distributiono licenseeo and/oro undero theo Consumero ComplaintoHandlingoProcedure,oasotheocaseomayobe,omayohimselfo orothroughohisoauthorizedorepresentative,oapproachotheoForumo establishedobyotheodistributionolicenseeoasoperoPSERCo(Forumo andoOmbudsman)oRegulations,o2005oasoamendedofromotimeotoo time,oinowritingoforotheoredressaloofohisogrievance.oProvidedothato theo complainanto shallo haveo theo righto too approacho theo Forumo directlyoinorespectoofomattersofallingounderotheojurisdictionoofotheo Forum.o

25.4oRedressaloofoGrievancesobyoOmbudsmanoo

25.4.1oAocomplainantoaggrievedobyoanoorderoofotheoForumooro non-redressaloofogrievanceobyotheoForumowithinotheoprescribedo periodo shallo haveo theo righto too submito ano appealo too theo Ombudsman.o

25.4.2o Ao consumero mayo submito ao representationo too theo Ombudsmano ifo anyo ordero passedo byo ao Disputeo Settlemento CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -4-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

Committee,oForumooroOmbudsmanoisonotoimplementedowithino30o daysoofotheoreceiptoofosuchoorder.o o

6.o Theo Punjabo Stateo Electricityo Regulatoryo Commissiono haso alsoo approvedotheoguidelinesoforohandlingoofoconsumerocomplaintsoandospeedyo resolutionoofoconsumerogrievancesorelatingotoosupplyoofoelectricityobyotheo distributiono licenseeo too theo consumerso ino ao transparento ando expeditiouso mannero ando video notificationo datedo 04.10.2013o approvedo "Consumero Complainto Handlingo Procedureo (CCHP)"o aso well.o Theo relevanto provisionsoareoreproducedoasounder:-o "3.oNatureoofoComplaintsoo Consumerocomplaintsomayopertainoto;oo kBillingoo kMeteringoo kInterruption/failureoofopowerosupplyoo kVoltageovariationsoo kLoadoshedding/scheduledooutagesoo kDisconnection/Reconnectionoo kAnyootheromatteroconcerningosupplyoofoelectricityoo

4.oDisputeoSettlementoCommitteesoo o(1)o Complaintso relatingo too theo supplyo ofo electricityo byo theo licenseeo involvingo monetaryo disputeso arisingo dueo too wrongo billing,o applicationo ofo wrongo tariffo oro differenceo ofo serviceo connectiono charges/generalo chargeso oro securityo againsto consumption,o meteringo ando oro CT/PTo errors,o levyo ofo voltageo surcharge,o billingo ofo supplementaryo amounto oro anyo othero chargeso excepto thoseo arisingo ono matterso pertainingo too openo accessograntedounderotheoElectricityoAct,o2003oandoSectionso126,o 127,o135otoo140,o142,o143,o146,o152oando161oofotheoActowillobeo disposedoofobyotheoDisputeoSettlementoCommitteesoconstitutedobyo theodistributionolicensee."o CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -5-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

o o xxxo o xxxo o xxxo "8.oConsumer'sorightotooapproachotheoForumo Aocomplainantoaggrievedodueotoonon-redressaloofohisocomplainto undero theo "Consumero Complainto Handlingo Procedure",o mayo approacho theo Forumo establishedo byo theo licenseeo undero sub-sectiono(5)oofoSectiono42oofotheoActoreadowitho"PSERCo(Forumo&o Ombudsman)o Regulations,o 2005"o aso amendedo fromo timeo too time."o o

7.o Detailedoprocedureoforoinstitutionoofocomplaintoandoredressaloofotheo complaintohadoalsoobeenoprovidedounderotheoaboveosaidoguidelines.oo

8.o Thereafter,otheoPunjaboStateoElectricityoRegulatoryoCommissionovideo notificationo datedo 26.12.2016,ino exerciseo ofo theo powerso conferredo undero Sectiono181oandootheroprovisionsoofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003onotifiedoTheo Punjabo Stateo Electricityo ando Regulatoryo Commissiono (Forumo &o Ombudsman)oRegulationsoofo2016owhichoprovideoforodetailedomechanismo foroadjudicationoofodisputes.oTheogrievanceofororeleaseoofoNewoConnectiono isowithinotheoscopeoofosuchoauthorities.oTheorelevantoprovisionsoofotheosaido Regulationsoareoreproduced:o o

(d)o"Complainant"omeanso&oincludesoanyoofotheofollowingowhoo haveoaogrievanceoasodefinedoinotheseoregulationsoandomakesoao complaint;oo

(i)oaoconsumeroasodefinedounderosub-sectiono15oofosectiono2o ofotheoAct;oo

(ii)oanyoconsumersoassociationoregisteredounderoanyolawoforo theotimeobeingoinoforce;o

(iii)o anyo un-registeredo associationo oro groupo ofo consumerso whereotheoconsumersohaveocommonoorosimilarointerest;oo

(iv)o ino caseo ofo deatho ofo ao consumer,o hiso legalo heirso oro authorizedorepresentative;ooRAJ KUMAR ARORA CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -6-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

(v)oanyootheropersonoclaimingothroughooroauthorizedobyooro actingoasoagentoforotheoconsumeroandoaffectedobyotheoserviceo orobusinessocarriedooutobyotheodistributionolicensee;oo

(vi)oanoapplicantoforoaonewoelectricityoconnection.oo o

(e)o "complaint"o meanso anyo grievanceo ino writingo madeo byo ao complainantothato–oo

(i)oanounfairotradeopracticeooroaorestrictiveotradeopracticeo haso beeno adoptedo byo theo licenseeo ino providingo electricityo service;oo

(ii)otheoelectricityoservicesohiredooroavailedoofooroagreedotoo beohiredooroavailedoofobyohimosufferofromodefectoorodeficiencyo inoanyorespect;o

(iii)oaolicenseeohasochargedoforoelectricityoservicesomentionedo inotheocomplaint,oaopriceoinoexcessoofotheopriceofixedobyotheo Commission;oo

(iv)o electricityo serviceso whicho areo hazardouso too lifeo ando safetyowhenoavailed,oareobeingoofferedoforouseotootheopublico inocontraventionoofotheoprovisionsoofoanyolawoforotheotimeo beingoinoforceooroofoanyolicenceo;oo

(v)oviolationohasooccurredoofoanyolawoorolicenceorequiringo theo licenseeo too displayo theo informationo ino regardo too theo mannerooroeffectoofouseoofotheoelectricaloservices;ooroo

(vi)obreachohasooccurredoofoanyoobligationobyotheolicenseeo whichoadverselyoaffectsoanyoconsumeroorowhichotheoForumo mayoconsideroappropriateotoobeotreatedoasoaocomplaint.oo o

(f)o"consumer"oforotheopurposeoofotheseoRegulationsoshallobeoao consumeroasodefinedounderosub-sectiono(15)oofoSectiono2oofotheo Acto ando shallo alsoo includeo ao persono applyingo foro newo connection;oo o

(g)o "consumero grievance"o meanso &o includeso anyo complainto relatingo too anyo fault,o imperfection,o shorto coming,o defecto oro CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -7-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

deficiencyo ino theo quality,o natureo ando mannero ofo serviceo oro performanceoinopursuanceoofoaolicence,ocontract,oagreementooro undero Electricityo Supplyo Codeo oro ino relationo too Standardso ofo PerformanceospecifiedobyotheoCommissionoincludingopaymentoofo compensationoorobillingodisputesoofoanyonatureoororecoveryoofo chargesobyotheolicenseeoandomattersorelatingotootheosafetyoofotheo distributionosystemohavingopotentialoofoendangeringotheolifeooro property.o However,o theo matterso pertainingo too Openo Accesso grantedounderotheoActoandoSectiono126,o127,o135otoo140,o142,o 143,o146,o152oando161oofotheoActoshallonotoformogrievanceoundero theseoregulations.o o

9.o TheoaforesaidoRegulationsospecifyotheoConsumer'soRightotooapproacho ando theo Jurisdictiono ofo theo Commission.o Ito alsoo specifieso theo Consumero Complainto Handlingo Procedure.o Theo relevanto excerpto ofo theo sameo areo reproducedoasounder:-o Consumer'sorightotooapproacho o o2.22o Foro expeditiouso resolutiono ofo theo complianto ofo ao complainantoatotheolocalolevel,otheoCommissionomayoapproveoao procedureonamelyo"ConsumeroComplaintoHandlingoProcedure"o [inoshortoCCHP]owhichoshalloperformosuchofunctionsoandoshallo haveosuchojurisdictionoasomayobeoapprovedobyotheoCommission.o Providedothatotheocomplainantoshallohaveotheorightotooapproacho theo Forumo directlyo ino respecto ofo matterso fallingo undero theo jurisdictionoofotheoForum.oProvidedofurtherothatotheoCommissiono mayo dispenseo witho theo "Consumero Complainto Handlingo Procedure"o oro amendo ito withouto anyo noticeo ino caseo theo continuationoofosuchoprocedureoisofoundotoobeodetrimentalotootheo interestsoofotheoconsumersoorotheolicensee.oo o

2.23o Anyo complainanto aggrievedo byo non-redressalo ofo hiso grievanceowithinotheotimeoperiodospecifiedobyotheoCommissionooroRAJ KUMAR ARORA CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -8-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

isonotosatisfiedowithotheoredressaloofotheocomplaintobyotheolicenseeo and/orounderotheoConsumeroComplaintoHandlingoProcedure,oaso theo caseo mayo be,o mayo himselfo oro througho hiso authorizedo representative,oapproachotheoForumoinowritingoforotheoredressalo ofohisogrievance.oo o Jurisdictionoo

2.24oTheoForumoshallohaveotheojurisdictionotooentertainoallotheo monetary/non-monetaryo complaints/grievanceo filedo byo theo complainantsoorotootakeoupotheomatterosuo-motoowithorespectotoo theoelectricityoservicesoprovidedobyotheodistributionolicenseeoifotheo sameofulfilsotheorequirementsospecifiedoinosub-regulationo(e)oreado withosub-regulationo(g)oofoRegulationo1.5ooroagainstotheodecisiono ofoaoDisputeoSettlementoCommitteeoconstitutedounderoCCHP.oo o

2.25oTheoForumoshalloentertainoonlyothoseocomplaintsowhereotheo representationoisomadeowithino2oyearsofromotheodateoofocauseoofo actionoinocaseotheocomplainantoapproachesotheoForumodirectlyooro withino 2o monthso fromo theo dateo ofo receipto ofo theo orderso ofo respectiveo Disputeo Settlemento Committeeo constitutedo undero CCHP.oo Providedo thato theo Forumo may,o foro reasonso too beo recordedo ino writing,oentertainoaocomplaintowhichodoesonotomeetotheoaforesaido requirements.o o o2.26oInocaseoaocomplainantoapproachesotheoForumodirectlyoforo redressalo ofo hiso monetaryo disputeo undero firsto provisoo too regulationo2.22oabove,otheoconsumeroshallobeorequiredotoodeposito followingoamounto(inclusiveoofoamountoalreadyodepositedoonothiso account),o witho theo Licensee,o ino casho oro chequeo (subjecto too realization)o oro througho demando drafto payableo ato theo headquartersoofotheoconcernedosub-division,opendingodisposaloofo anyo disputeo betweeno theo complainanto ando theo Licenseeo ando attachoaocopyoofotheoreceiptowithotheocomplaint:oo CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -9-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

o a)o Disputedo currento electricityo billo amounto (coveredo undero Reg.35oofoSupplyoCode):opaymentoasoperoRegulationo35.1oofo Supplyo Code,o 2014o Regulations,o aso amendedo fromo timeo too time.oo o b)oCasesoOtherothanothatocoveredoundero(a)oabove:o20%oofotheo disputedoamountootherothanotheocurrentobilloamount.o o Providedothatoinocaseotheoconsumeroisounableotoomakeopaymento aso specifiedo above,o theo Chairpersono ofo theo Forumo shallo beo competentotoofixotheoamountotoobeodepositedobeforeoconsiderationo ofotheogrievanceobyotheoForum.oo o

2.27oTheoForumomayorejectotheogrievanceoatoanyostage,othroughoao speakingoorder,ounderotheofollowingocircumstances:oo a)oInocasesowhereoproceedingsoinorespectoofotheosameomatteroando betweenotheosameoComplainantoandotheoLicenseeoareopendingo beforeoanyocourt,otribunal,oarbitratorooroanyootheroauthority,ooroao decreeooroawardooroaofinaloorderohasoalreadyobeenopassedobyoanyo suchocourt,otribunal,oarbitratorooroauthority;oo b)oInocasesowhichofallounderoSectionso126,o127,o135otoo140,o142,o 143,o146,o152oando161oofotheoActoorotheomattersorelatingotooopeno accessograntedounderotheoAct.oo c)oInocasesowhereotheogrievanceohasobeenosubmittedotwooyearso afterotheodateoonowhichotheocauseoofoactionohasoarisenooroaftero twoomonthsofromotheodateooforeceiptoofotheoordersoofoDSC;oandoo d)oInotheocaseoofogrievancesowhichoare:ooo k Frivolous,ovexatious,omalafide;oo k Withoutoanyosufficientocause;ooroo k oWhereothereoisonooprimaofacieolossoorodamageooroinconvenienceo causedo too theo Complainanto oro theo consumerso whoo areo representedobyoanoassociationoorogroupoofoconsumers.oo o CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -10-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

Providedo thato noo grievanceo shallo beo rejectedo unlesso theo Complainantohasobeenogivenoanoopportunityoofobeingoheard.oo o Grievanceofilingoo o

2.28oEveryogrievanceotootheoForumomustobeosubmittedoinowritingo tootheoForumostating-oo a)o theo nameo ofo theo individualo oro theo organization,o completeo postaloaddress,otelephoneonumber,ofaxonumberoandotheoE-mailo addresso(ifoany)oofotheocomplainant;oo

(b)o theo nameo ofo licensee'so officeo viz.o sub-division,o divisiono oro circleoofficeotoowhichotheogrievanceopertain;o o(c)oaofullodescriptionoofotheomatter,owhichoisotheosourceoofotheo grievance,o includingo copieso ofo anyo relevanto ando supportingo documents,oifoany;oo

(d)otheoreliefoprayedofor;oo

(e)o thato theo mattero iso noto pendingo beforeo anyo othero court,o authorityooroforum.oo o

2.29o Ao copyo ofo response,o ifo any,o fromo theo licenseeo shallo beo enclosed.oo o

2.30o Theo Forumo mayo seeko additionalo informationo ando detailso fromotheocomplainant(s).oo o

2.31o Theo Forumo mayo receiveo complaintso througho e-mailo oro facsimileomodeoandoalsooduringoitsosittingsoatoplacesootherothano itsoheadquartersosubjectotoofulfillmentoofosuchorequirementsoaso theoForumomayoconsideroappropriate.oo o

2.32oTheogrievancesoshallobeoprioritizedofororedressalobasedoono theofollowingopriorityoorder:oo a)oNon-Supplyoo b)oConnectionoo CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -11-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

c)oDisconnectionoofosupplyoo d)oMeter-relatedoissuesoo e)oBilling-relatedoissuesoo f)oOtheroissuesovizodeficiencyoinoserviceo&/oroperformanceo&/oro safetyonormsoetc.oo o

2.33oInocaseoofogrievancesorelatedotoonon-supply,oconnectionooro disconnectionoofosupply,otheoForumoshallopassotheoorderowithino 15odaysoofofilingoofotheogrievance.o o Providedoalsoothatoinotheoeventoofogrievanceobeingodisposedoofo aftero theo maximumo periodo specifiedo above,o theo Forumo shouldo recordo ino writing,o theo reasonso foro theo sameo ato theo timeo ofo disposingotheosaidogrievanceoandoinformotheoOmbudsman.oo o Grievanceohandlingoprocedureoo o

2.34oOnoreceiptoofotheoconsumerogrievance,otheoSecretaryotootheo Forumoshallomakeoanoendorsementoonotheogrievanceosubscribingo hisodatedoinitial.oo o

2.35o Consumero grievanceso receivedo shallo beo registeredo ando seriallyonumberedoforoeachoyear,oandoshallobeoreferredoe.g.oC.G.o No.o1/2005,o1/2006oandosooon.oWithino3oworkingodaysooforeceipto ofoaoconsumerogrievance,otheoSecretaryotootheoForumoshallosendo ano acknowledgemento too theo applicanto showingo serialo numbero andodateooforeceiptoofotheocomplaint/grievance.oHeoshalloalsoobeo responsibleo too informo theo complainanto ofo theo statuso ofo hiso complaintoinotheoForumoinocaseoofoinquiryobyotheocomplainantoino thisoregard.oo o

2.36oAocopyoofotheogrievanceoshallobeoforwardedosimultaneouslyo tootheoconcernedoofficeroofotheolicenseeofororedressaloorotoofileo CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -12-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

objection,oifoany,oinowritingoinocaseotheolicenseeoisonotoagreeableo tootheorequestoofotheocomplainant.oo o

2.37oTheoemployeeonominated/authorizedoinothisoregardobyotheo licenseeoorotheoemployeeonamedoinotheocomplaintoshallofurnisho theoparawiseocommentsoonotheogrievanceowithino10odaysofromotheo dateooforeceiptoofotheoletterofromotheoForum,ofailingowhichotheo Forumoshalloproceedoonotheobasisoofotheomaterialoavailableoono record.oo o

2.38o Ino additiono too theo recordo ofo theo concernedo Disputeo Settlemento Committeeo (ifo applicable),otheo Forumo mayo calloforo furthero informationo oro recordo fromo theo Licenseeo oro theo complainanto thato ito considerso relevanto foro examinationo ando disposalo ofo theo grievanceo ando theo partieso shallo beo undero obligationotooprovideosuchoinformationoororecordoasotheoForumo mayo callo for.o Theo concernedo partyo willo sendo theo sameo too theo Forumowithino7odaysooforeceiptoofoitsorequisition.oWhereoaopartyo failsotooprovideosuchoinformation,odocumentoororecordowithinotheo stipulatedo timeo ando theo Forumo iso satisfiedo thato theo partyo ino possessionoofotheorecordoisowithholdingoitodeliberately,oitomayo drawoanoadverseoinference.oo o

2.39oOnoreceiptoofotheocommentsofromotheolicenseeoorootherwiseo andoafteroconductingoorohavingosuchoinquiryoorolocaloinspectiono conductedo aso theo Forumo mayo considero necessary,o ando aftero affordingoreasonableoopportunityoofohearingotootheoparties,otheo Forumo shallo passo appropriateo orderso foro disposalo ofo theo grievance,o aso faro aso possible,o withino 45o dayso ofo filingo theo complaint.o Theo complaint/grievanceo byo senioro citizens,o physicallyochallengedooropersonosufferingofromoseriousoailmentso shallobeodisposedoofoonopriority.oHoweverotheoorderoinocaseoofo grievanceorelatingotoonon-supply,oconnectionoorodisconnectiono CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -13-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

ofosupplyoshallobeoissuedobyotheoForumowithino15odaysoofotheo filingoofotheogrievance.oo o

2.40o Theo Forumo mayo directo theo Licenseeo too undertakeo ano inspectionowithoregardotootheogrievance,oasomayobeorequiredoforo expeditiousoredressal.oTheoForumomayoalsooengageoaothirdopartyo (othero thano theo licensee)o ato theo instanceo ando requesto ofo theo Complainant,otooundertakeoinspectionoandoobtainoanoindependento report.oTheoForumoshallorecordotheoreasonsoforotheoneedoforosucho third-partyo inspection,o whicho shouldo generallyo beo resortedo too rarelyoandokeepingoinoviewotheospecialocircumstancesoofoaocase.o Theoexpensesoofosuchothird-partyoinspectionoshallobeopayableobyo theoComplainantoandogotodepositedoinoadvance.oo o

2.41oTheodecisionsoofotheoForumowillobeorecordedodulyosupportedo byoreasons.oTheoOrderoofotheoForumowillobeocommunicatedotootheo complainant,o Licenseeo ando theo concernedo Disputeo Settlemento Committee,oifoapplicable,oinowritingowithino7odaysoofotheopassingo ofotheoOrder.oTheoLicenseeoshallocomplyowithotheoorderoofotheo Forumowithino21odaysofromotheodateooforeceiptoofotheoorder.oIno appropriateo cases,o consideringo theo natureo ofo theo case,o theo Forum,ouponotheorequestoofotheoLicensee,omayoextendotheoperiodo forocomplianceoofoitsoorderoupotooaomaximumoofothreeomonths.oIno caseoofonon-complianceoofotheoOrderoofotheoForumoorothatoofoao Disputeo Settlemento Committee,o theo aggrievedo consumero mayo approachotheoCommissionowhoowilloprovideotheoconsumeroasowello asotheoLicenseeoanoopportunityoofobeingoheard.oTheoCommissiono mayo initiateo proceedingso undero sectiono 142o ofo theo Acto foro violationoofotheoRegulationsoframedobyotheoCommission.oo o

2.42oTheoForumomay,osubjectotootheoElectricityoSupplyoCodeoando Relatedo Matterso Regulationso madeo byotheo Commissiono ino thiso regard,o awardo sucho compensationo too theo complainantso aso ito considersojustoandoappropriateoinotheocircumstancesoofotheocase.oo CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -14-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

o Providedo thato theo interesto payableo ono recoverable/o refundableo amountoifoany,obyoeitheropartyoshallobeoasounder:oo

i)k Casesocoveredoundero2.26o(a)oaboveo:oasoperoRegulationso

35.4o&o35.5o35.1.3o&o35.1.4oofoSupplyoCodeoRegulations,o asoamendedofromotimeotootime,oasotheocaseomayobe.oo

ii)k Casesocoveredoundero2.26o(b)oabove:oatoSBIoBaseoRateo prevalentoonoIstoofoApriloofotheorelevantoyearopluso2%.o13oo o

2.43oWhereotheocomplainantoorotheolicenseeofailsotooappearobeforeotheo Forumoonotheodateofixedoforohearingoonomoreothanotwoooccasions,otheo Forumomayodecideotheocomplaintoex-parte.oo o

2.44oTheoForumomayoevolveoprocedureoconformingotootheoprincipleso ofofairoplayoandojusticeoforoefficientodischargeoofoitsofunctions.oItoshallo alsoofollowotheoguidelines,oifoany,ogivenobyotheoCommissionoregardingo theoprocedureotoobeoadoptedobyoitoforohandlingotheocomplaints.oo o

2.45oAnyocomplainantoaggrievedobyoordersoofotheoForumomayopreferoao representationobeforeotheoOmbudsmanoappointedo/odesignatedobyotheo Commission.oo o 10o TheoForumohasoalsoogivenopowersotooissueointerimodirectionsopendingo finalo disposalo ofo grievanceo undero Regulationo 2.46o thereof.o Theo sameo iso extractedoherein-afterobelow:-ooo SpecialoProvision:oInterimoOrder:oo o

2.46oUponorequestoofotheoComplainant,otheoForumomayoissueosucho interimo orderso pendingo finalo disposalo ofo theo grievanceo aso ito mayo consideronecessaryoincludingobutonotorestrictedotoograntoofotemporaryo injunctionotoostayooropreventoororestrainosuchoactoasotheoForumothinkso fit.oo o CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -15-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

Providedo thato theo Forumo shallo haveo theo powerso too passo sucho ano interimoorderoinoanyoproceeding,ohearingooromatterobeforeoit,oasoito mayoconsideroappropriateoifotheoComplainantosatisfiesotheoForumothato primaofacie,otheoDistributionoLicenseeohasothreatenedooroisolikelyotoo removeoorodisconnectotheoelectricityoconnection,oandohasooroisolikelyo toocontraveneoanyoprovisionsoofotheoActooroanyorulesoandoregulationso madeothereunderooroanyoorderoofotheoCommission,oprovidedothatotheo Forumohasojurisdictionoonosuchomatter.oo o Providedo furthero that,o excepto whereo ito appearso thato theo objecto ofo passingosuchotheointerimoorderowouldobeodefeatedobyodelay,onoosucho interimo ordero shallo beo passedo unlesso theo oppositeo partyo haso beeno givenoanoopportunityoofobeingoheard.oo o Providedo alsoo thato whereo anyo injunctiono haso beeno grantedo byo theo Forumowithoutonoticeotootheooppositeoparty,otheoForumoshallomakeo effortsotoofinallyodisposeoofotheoapplicationowithino30odaysofromotheo dateoonowhichotheoinjunctionowasogranted.oo o Providedoalsoothatoanyointerimoorderomayobeoreviewed/setoasideobyo theoForumoonoanoapplicationomadeobyoanyopartyoifoitoisofoundothatotheo complainantohasomadeoaofalseooromisleadingostatement.o o 11o AoreasonedoorderohasotoobeopassedobyotheoForum.oSimilaroprovisionso foroOmbudsmanohaveoalsoobeenoprescribedotherein.oo o RedressaloofoGrievancesobyoOmbudsmano Filingooforepresentationoo o

3.16oAnyocomplainant,oaggrievedobyoordersoofotheoForumomayohimselfo orothroughohisoauthorizedorepresentativeomakeoaorepresentationoino writingo includingo througho emailo oro facsimileo modeo too theo Ombudsman.o Theo representationo ofo theo complainanto shallo beo CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -16-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

acknowledgedowithino3odaysoofoitsoreceiptoclearlyoindicatingotheodateo oforeceipto&ouniqueocaseonumberoassignedotooit.oo o

3.17oTheorepresentationoshallostateoclearly:oo

(i)o theo name/so ando addresso ofo theo consumer/s,o serviceo connectiono number,ocategory,otheonameoofotheolicensee'sooffice,oagainstowhichotheo representationoisomade,otheofactsogivingoriseotootheorepresentation,otheo groundsothereof,otheoreliefosoughtofromotheoOmbudsman.oo

(ii)otheonameoofotheoForum,odateoofoorderoorodecisionoofotheoForum,oaso theocaseomayobe,oalongowithoaocopyothereof.oo o

3.18oNoorepresentationotootheoOmbudsmanoshallolieounless:oo

(i)o Theo consumero had,o beforeo makingo ao representationo too theo OmbudsmanoapproachedotheoForumoconstitutedounderosub-sectiono(5)o ofoSectiono42oofotheoAct,ofororedressaloofohisogrievance;oo

(ii)oTheorepresentationoisomadeowithinooneomonthofromotheodateoofo receiptoofotheoorderoofotheoForum:oProvidedothatotheoOmbudsmanomayo entertaino ao representationo beyondo oneo montho ono sufficiento causeo beingoshownobyotheocomplainantothatohe/sheohadoreasonsoforonotofilingo theorepresentationowithinotheoaforesaidoperiodoofooneomonth.oo

(iii)o Theo persono filingo theo representationo makeso ao deposito ofo 40%o (fortyoperocent)oofotheoamountoassessedobyotheoForumo(inclusiveoofo amountoalreadyodepositedoonothisoaccount),owithotheoLicensee,oinocasho oro througho demando drafto payableo ato theo headquarterso ofo theo concernedo sub-divisiono ando submito documentaryo evidenceo ofo sucho deposit.oo

(iv)oTheorepresentationobyotheoComplainant,oinorespectoofotheosameo grievance,o iso noto pendingo ino anyo proceedingso beforeo anyo court,o tribunalooroarbitratorooroanyootheroauthority;oaodecreeooroawardooroao finalo ordero haso noto beeno passedo byo anyo sucho court,o tribunal,o arbitratorooroauthority.oo

(v)oTheoOmbudsmanomayorejectotheorepresentationoatoanyostageoifoito appearsotoohimothatotheorepresentationois:oo a)oFrivolous,ovexatious,omalafide;oo CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -17-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

b)oWithoutoanyosufficientocause'oo c)oThereoisonooprimaofacieolossoorodamageooroinconvenienceocausedotoo theoComplainant;oo o ProvidedothatotheodecisionoofotheoOmbudsmanoinothisoregardoshallobeo finaloandobindingoonotheoComplainantoandotheoDistributionoLicensee.oo o Providedofurtherothatonoorepresentationoshallobeorejectedoinorespectoofo subclauseso(a),o(b)oando(c)ounlessotheoComplainantohasobeenogivenoano opportunityoofobeingoheard.oo o HearingoofoRepresentationoo

3.19oTheoOmbudsmanoshall,owithinosevenodaysooforegistrationoofoao representation,o callo foro theo relevanto recordo fromo theo concernedo Forumowhichowilloforwardosuchorecordowithinosevenodaysofromotheo dateooforeceiptoofonoticeofromotheoOmbudsman.oo o

3.20oTheoOmbudsmanomay,oatotheosameotime,oalsoocalloforoaowritteno statement/parawiseocommentsoofotheoLicenseeoonotheorepresentation.o TheoLicenseeowillofurnishotheowrittenostatement/parawiseocommentso withinofifteenodaysofromotheodateooforeceiptoofosucholetter.oAnyoothero documentorequiredoandocalledoforobyotheoOmbudsmanowilloalsoobeo furnishedobyotheoLicensee/oconsumerowithinotheostipulatedoperiod.oIno caseo theo Licenseeo failso too furnisho theo writteno statement/parawiseo commentsowithinotheostipulatedoperiod,otheoOmbudsmanomayoimposeo costso aso areo consideredo reasonableo ando sufficient.o Theo concernedo consumeromayoalsoobeoliableoforosimilaroactionoinotheoeventoofofailureo toofurnishoanyoadditionalodocumentocalledoforobyotheoOmbudsman.oo o

3.21o Theo Ombudsmano mayo hearo theo partieso ando mayo directo theo partiesotoosubmitowrittenostatementsoofosubmissionsoinotheomatter.oo o CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -18-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

3.22oNooadjournmentoshalloordinarilyobeograntedobyotheoOmbudsmano unlesso sufficiento causeo iso showo ando theo reasonso foro granto ofo adjournmentohaveobeenorecordedoinowritingobyotheoOmbudsman.oo o 12o Similaroprovisionsoofointerimoordersohaveoalsoobeenoretainedotherein.o Theosameoareoextractedoasounder:-o SpecialoProvision:oInterimoOrder:oo

3.23oUponorequestoofotheoComplainant,otheoOmbudsmanomayoissueo suchointerimoordersopendingofinalodisposaloofotheogrievanceoasoitomayo consideronecessaryoincludingobutonotorestrictedotoograntoofotemporaryo injunctionotoostayooropreventoororestrainosuchoactoasotheoOmbudsmano thinksofit.oo o ProvidedothatotheoOmbudsmanoshallohaveotheopowersotoopassosuchoano interimoorderoinoanyoproceeding,ohearingooromatterobeforeoit,oasoito mayo considero appropriateo ifo theo Complainanto satisfieso theo Ombudsmano thato primao facie,o theo Distributiono Licenseeo haso threatenedo oro iso likelyo too removeo oro disconnecto theo electricityo connection,oandohasooroisolikelyotoocontraveneoanyoprovisionsoofotheo Actooroanyorulesoandoregulationsomadeothereunderooroanyoorderoofotheo Commission,oprovidedothatotheoOmbudsmanohasojurisdictionoonosucho matter.oo o Providedo furthero that,o excepto whereo ito appearso thato theo objecto ofo passingosuchotheointerimoorderowouldobeodefeatedobyodelay,onoosucho interimo ordero shallo beo passedo unlesso theo oppositeo partyo haso beeno givenoanoopportunityoofobeingoheard.oo o Providedo alsoo thato whereo anyo injunctiono haso beeno grantedo byo theo Ombudsmanowithoutonoticeotootheooppositeoparty,otheoForumoshallo makeoeffortsotoofinallyodisposeoofotheoapplicationowithino30odaysofromo theodateoonowhichotheoinjunctionowasogranted.oo o CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -19-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

Providedoalsoothatoanyointerimoorderomayobeoreviewed/setoasideobyo theoOmbudsmanoonoanoapplicationomadeobyoanyopartyoifoitoisofoundo thatotheocomplainantohasomadeoaofalseooromisleadingostatement.oo o 13o Ao referenceo too theo aforesaido Regulationso showo thato Statuteo haso prescribedo foro Consumero Grievanceso Redressalo Mechanism.o Theo aboveo statutoryoauthoritiesohaveobeenodulyoconstitutedoandoareorequiredotoodecideo complaintso ino ao timeo boundo manner.o Eveno powerso ofo grantingo interimo directionso haveo beeno conferredo upono theo authoritieso undero Statutoryo framework.oo 14o Moreover,oGovernmentoofoIndiaovideodatedo31.12.2020,onotifiedotheo Electricityo(RightsoofoConsumers)oRules,o2020.oRuleo15owhichoprovidesoforo GrievanceoRedressaloMechanismoisoreproducedobelowofororeference:-oo "15.o"Grievanceoredressalomechanismo(1)oTheodistributionolicenseeo shalloestablishoConsumeroGrievanceoRedressaloForumo(CGRF)oundero sub-sectiono(5)oofosectiono42oofotheoActoatodifferentolevelsotoocaterotheo needsoofotheosub-odivision,odivision,ocircle,ozone,ocompanyolevel.oTheo forumoshallobeoheadedobyoanoofficeroofotheolicenseeoofoappropriateo seniority.oTheoforumoshalloconsistoofoofficersoofotheolicenseeoandohaveo noto moreo thano fouro memberso aso consumero ando prosumero representatives.o Theo Appropriateo Commissiono shallo nominateo oneo independentomemberowhooisofamiliarowithotheoconsumeroaffairs.oTheo forumomayobeoassignedodifferentotypesoofogrievancesodependingoonotheo natureoofotheogrievanceoandotheoleveloatowhichoitocanobeobestoresolved.o o Providedothatotheomanneroofoappointmentoandotheoqualificationo ando experienceo ofo theo personso too beo appointedo aso membero ofo theo forumo ando theo procedureo ofo dealingo witho theo grievanceso ofo theo consumersobyotheoForumoandootherosimilaromattersowouldobeoasopero theoguidelinesospecifiedobyotheoStateoCommission.o o CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -20-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

(2)oTheolicenseeoshallospecifyotheotimeowithinowhichovariousotypesoofo grievancesobyotheodifferentolevelsoofotheoforumsoareotoobeoresolved.o Normally,oaogrievanceoshallobeodecidedowithoinoaoperiodoofothirtyodayso andoinoanyocaseonotoexceedingofortyofiveodaysofromotheodateooforeceipto ofosuchogrievance.oTheoconsumeroaggrievedobyotheodecisionoofosub-divisionalo oro divisionalo oro circleo forumo willo haveo theo optiono too approachotheocompanyoleveloforumobeforeomakingoanoappealotootheo Ombudsman.o o

(3)oIfoaogrievanceoisonotoredressedobyotheocompanyoleveloforumowithino theospecifiedotimeoorotheoconsumeroisonotosatisfiedowithotheodisposaloofo hisogrievance,oheowillobeofreeotooapproachotheoOmbudsmanoappointedo byotheoCommission.o o

(4)oTheodistributionolicenseeoshallogiveowideopublicityoofotheoforumo office,o itso completeo address,o contacto detailso ando procedureo foro registrationoofogrievancesothrougho printoando electronico mediao ando noticeoboardsoofoitsovariousoofficesoandoalsoointimateotheosameotootheo consumersothroughoelectricityobills.o o

(5)oTheodistributionolicenseeoshallosetoupoaomechanismoforomonitoringo ofotheogrievancesoredressal.o o

(6)oTheolicenseeowillosendoquarterlyoreportsotootheoOmbudsmanoandotoo theo Commission,o ino respecto ofo standardso ofo performance,o othero performanceo parameterso ando consumero grievanceso relatedo informationoshowingotheoextentotoowhichotheotimeoscheduleohasobeeno followedoinoredressingotheoconsumerogrievances.o o

(7)o Theo performanceo ofo CGRFo shallo beo monitoredo byo theo Commission."o o

15.oo Itoisowellosettledoprovisionoinolawoandooftenoreiteratedoandoalsooreliedo byotheoHon'bleoSupremeoCourtoinotheomatteroofo'oN.P.oStateoAgrooIndustriesoRAJ KUMAR ARORA CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -21-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

DevelopmentoCooperationoVs.oJohanoKhan'oreportedoaso(2007)o10oSCCo 88othatotheopoweroofotheoHighoCourtounderoArticleo226oofotheoConstitutionoofo Indiao iso plenaryo ino nature,o noto limitedo too anyo othero provisiono ofo theo Constitution.oPrioroexhaustionoofoalternateoremedyoisoaoruleoofoprudenceoando noto ofo compulsion.o Ino appropriateo cases,o theo Higho Courto mayo ino itso discretion,oentertainotheowritopetitionopriorotooavailingoalternativeoremedialo measures.oSomeoofotheocircumstancesowhereotheoHon'bleoSupremeoCourtohaso upheldo theo maintainabilityo ofo ao writo petitiono despiteo existenceo ofo ano alternativeoremedyoareocategorizedoasounder:oo

(i)o Whereo theo petitionero seekso too highlighto theo violationo ofo fundamentalrightsoandopressoforoenforcementoofotheosame;ooroo

(ii)oWhereothereoisoblatantoviolationoofoprinciplesoofonaturalojustice;o oroo

(iii)oWhereotheoimpugnedoorderooroactionohasobeenopassedowithouto jurisdiction;ooro

(iv)oWhereotheoviresoofotheoconcernedoActoitselfohaveobeenoassailed;o oroo

(v)oWhereotheoCourtoorotheoTribunaloagainstowhichotheogrievanceoiso espousedolacksoinherentojurisdiction;ooroo

(vi)oWhereotheoactoinoquestionosuffersofromoblatantoarbitrariness,o discrimination,oabuseoofoauthorityoofopoweroorodisregardsosettledo law;ooroo

(vii)o Whereo theo alternativeo remedyo doeso noto provideo foro theo immediate,oemergentoorotheointerimoreliefothatohasobeenoprayedoforo andoinotheoabsenceoofograntoofosuchointerimoindulgence/emergentooro immediateorelief,otheolitigantosuffersoirreparableolossoandoinjuryooro whereo theo compositiono ofo theo remedyo renderso ito unfito foro functioning.oo o

16.oo Inotheoabsenceoofotheocircumstancesonoticedoabove,oaowritojurisdictiono wouldonotobeopanaceaoforoallotheomaladiesowhichoaolitigantomayosuffer.oItowasoRAJ KUMAR ARORA CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -22-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

alsooheldobyotheoHon'bleoSupremeoCourtoinotheomatteroofo'Commissioneroofo IncomeoTaxo&oOthersoVs.oChhabiloDassoAgarwal'oreportedoaso2014o(1)o SCCo603othatotheoHighoCourtowillonotoentertainoaowritounderoArticleo226oofo theoConstitutionoofoIndiaoifoanoeffectiveoalternateoremedyoisoavailableotootheo aggrievedopersonoinotheostatuteounderowhichotheoactionocomplainedoofohaso beeno takeno oro theo statuteo itselfo containso ao mechanismo foro ao redressalo ofo grievanceoandoitostilloholdsotheofield.oTherefore,owhenoaostatutoryoforumoiso createdobyolawofororedressaloofogrievances,oaowritopetitionoshouldonotobeo entertainedo ignoringo theo statutoryo dispensation.o Theo burdeno lieso ono theo personoapproachingotheoWritoCourtotooexplainoasotoowhy,despiteoexistenceoofo aospecializedostatutoryoremedy,otheoHighoCourtostillooughtotooexerciseoitsowrito jurisdiction.oo

17.o oTheo Hon'bleo Supremeo Courto ino theo mattero ofo Radhao Krishano Industrieso Versuso Stateo ofo Himachalo Pradesho ando others,o reportedo aso

(2021)6oSCCo771oheldoasounder:-o o "27.oTheoprinciplesoofolawowhichoemergeoareothato:o

(i)k TheopowerounderoArticleo226oofotheoConstitutionotooissueowritso canobeoexercisedonotoonlyoforotheoenforcementoofofundamentalorights,o butoforoanyootheropurposeoasowell;oo

(ii)k Theo Higho Courto haso theo discretiono noto too entertaino ao writo petition.oOneoofotheorestrictionsoplacedoonotheopoweroofotheoHigho Courto iso whereo ano effectiveo alternateo remedyo iso availableo too theo aggrievedoperson;oo

(iii)kExceptionsotootheoruleoofoalternateoremedyoariseowhereo(a)otheo writopetitionohasobeenofiledoforotheoenforcementoofoaofundamentalo rightoprotectedobyoPartoIIIoofotheoConstitution;o(b)othereohasobeenoao violationo ofo theo principleso ofo naturalo justice;o (c)o theo ordero oro CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -23-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

proceedingsoareowhollyowithoutojurisdiction;ooro(d)otheoviresoofoao legislationoisochallenged;oo

(iv)k AnoalternateoremedyobyoitselfodoesonotodivestotheoHighoCourtoofo itsopowersounderoArticleo226oofotheoConstitutionoinoanoappropriateo caseothoughoordinarily,oaowritopetitionoshouldonotobeoentertainedo whenoanoefficaciousoalternateoremedyoisoprovidedobyolaw;oo

(v)k Whenoaorightoisocreatedobyoaostatute,owhichoitselfoprescribesotheo remedyooroprocedureoforoenforcingotheorightooroliability,oresortomusto beo hado too thato particularo statutoryo remedyo beforeo invokingo theo discretionaryo remedyo underoArticleo 226o ofo theo Constitution.o Thiso ruleo ofo exhaustiono ofo statutoryo remedieso iso ao ruleo ofo policy,o convenienceoandodiscretion;oandoo

(vi)k Inocasesowhereothereoareodisputedoquestionsoofofact,otheoHigho Courtomayodecideotoodeclineojurisdictionoinoaowritopetition.oHowever,o ifotheoHighoCourtoisoobjectivelyoofotheoviewothatotheonatureoofotheo controversyorequiresotheoexerciseoofoitsowritojurisdiction,osuchoaoviewo wouldonotoreadilyobeointerferedowith."oo o

18.o oTheocircumstancesoofotheopresentocaseofairlyoestablishothatothereoareo noocompellingocircumstancesoonotheobasisowhereofoitomayobeoheldothatotheo rightsoofotheopetitionerowouldobeogravelyoprejudicedoorodefeatedoinocaseotheo writoCourtodoesonotointerveneointootheomatter.oIodoonotofindoanyosatisfactoryo reasonso aso too whyo theo petitionero oughto noto exhausto theiro alternativeo remedy(ies)o ando prefero ano appealo beforeo theo Appellateo Authorityo undero Sectiono127oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003oandotheoRegulationsothereunder.

19.o Undisputedly,o theo Regulationso ofo 2016o areo currentlyo ino force.o Definitionoofocomplainantoasoprovidedotherein,owhenoreadowithotheodefinitiono ofocomplaint;oconsumeroandoconsumerogrievancesoclearlyoestablishothatoao personowhooisodesirousooforeleaseoofoaonewoelectricityoconnectionocanoalsoo CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -24-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

approachotheoForumofororedressaloofohisogrievancesoincludingonon-releaseoofo connection.oFurther,otheoconsumeocomplaintohandlingoprocedureounderotheo aboveo Regulationso prescribeo secondo priorityo too theo grievanceo relatingo too releaseoofo connectiono undero Clauseo2.32.o Suchodisputeoiso requiredotoobeo examinedoandoorderoisotoobeopassedowithino15odaysoofosubmissionoofosucho grievance.oSomeotimeoperiodohasoalsoobeenoprescribedoforogrievances.oPowero toograntointerimoorderohasoalsoobeenovestedounderoRegulationo2.46othereof.oo SimilaroprovisionsohaveoalsoobeenocreatedoforotheoElectricityoOmbudsmano andoheotooohasobeenogivenopowerotooissueointerimoordersounderoRegulationo

3.23.oHence,oitoisoevidentothatoefficientoandoalternativeodisputeoresolutiono procedureoisodulyoprovidedounderotheoStatute.ooo 20o Asoaomatteroofofact,onotwithstandingothatotheoefficaciousoremedyohaso beeno prescribedo undero theo Statutoryo Scheme,o learnedo counselo foro theo petitionersohasomadeoanoavermentoinotheopresentopetitionothatothereoisonoo otheroefficaciousoalternativeoremedyoavailableotootheopetitionersoexceptobyo meanso ofo filingo theo presento petitiono ino paragrapho No.10o ofo theo presento petition.oSuchoanoavermentowhichoisonotobasedoonocorrectoreferenceotootheo statutoryoprovisionsoisoclearlyoanoattemptotoomisleadothisoCourt.oTheonon-disclosureo ofo informationo includingo theo statutoryo remedieso availableo iso clearlyoanoattemptotoomisleadothisoCourtoandomayobeoviewedoasointerferenceo inotheodueoprocessoofoadministrationoofojustice.oo 21o Theo positiono ofo lawo aso regardso entitlemento ofo ao citizeno too seeko electricityoconnectionoisonotodisputed.oHowever,orecognition/declarationoofo suchoaorightodoesonotoalsoomeanothatojurisdictionounderoArticleo226oofotheo CWP-9901-2023o(O&M).o o -25-o 2023:PHHC:065705o o

ConstitutionoofoIndia,oisotheoonlyoremedyoavailableoinolawoandothereoisonoo needotootakeorecourseotootheoStatutoryoremedy.ooooooo 22o Thisocourtowouldoordinarilyobeoinclinedotooimposeoheavyocostsouponoao litigantoforoconcealingotheoaforesaidoinformationoandoexhaustiveogrievanceo redressalo mechanism.o Theo petitionero waso informedo abouto theo alternativeo remediesoandoconveyedoaboutoapproachingotheosaidoForum.oHowever,otheo petitionerocounseloinsistedoofocompleteoabsenceoofoalternativeoremedyoando foro adjudicationo ofo hiso caseo ono merits.o Aparto fromo theo aboveo remedyo availableo undero theo Electricityo Act,o 2003,o theo grievanceo foro releaseo ofo electricityoconnectionocanoalsoobeoraisedobeforeotheoPermanentoLokoAdalato (PublicoUtilityoServices)ounderotheoLegaloServicesoAuthoritiesoAct,o1987;otheo RightotooServiceoCommissionoasowelloasounderotheoConsumersoProtectiono Act.oHence,onumerousoavenues,oalloconferredowithopowerotooissueointerimo orderso areo availableotootheopetitioners.o Theo insistenceo waso thusonoto onlyo misplacedo buto alsoo undesiredo especiallyo wheno ao jurisdictiono hado alreadyo beeno pointedo outo too him.o Theo presento petitiono iso accordinglyo dismissed,o imposingo ao costo ofo Rs.20,000/-o (Rupeeso Twentyo Thousando only)o ono theo petitioners.o Theo costo beo depositedo witho theo Higho Courto Legalo Serviceso Committee,oChandigarh.oo 23o Dismissaloofotheopetitionowould,ohowever,onotooperateoasoaobarotootheo petitionersotootakeorecourseotootheoStatutoryoremedies.oooo

Mayo08,o2023o o o o oooooooooo(VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ)o rajoarorao o o oooooo o o oooooooooooooooJUDGEo o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedoo :oYes/Noo Whetheroreportableoo o :oYes/Noo