M/S Bajwa Developers Pvt Ltd v. The State of Punjab and Others

CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -1-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o INoTHEoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAoHIGHoCOURToATo CHANDIGARH.o o 238o o o o o o o o Reservedoon:o25.09.2023.o o o o o o o o o DateoofoDecision:o03.11.2023.o o

(1)o o o o o o CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o o o M/SoBAJWAoDEVELOPERSoPVT.oLTD.oo o o o o o o o o o ...oPetitioneroo o o o o o Versuso o THEoSTATEoOFoPUNJABoANDoOTHERSo o ...oRespondentso o o o o ***o o

(2)o o o o o o CWP-25590-2022o(O&M).o o o o HDFCoBANKoLTDoo o o o o o o o o o ...oPetitioneroo o o o o o Versuso o PUNJABoSTATEoPOWERoCORPORATIONoLTD.oANDoOTHERSo o ...oRespondentso o CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -2-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o CORAM:oHON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoVINODoS.oBHARDWAJ.o o PRESENToo Mr.oBaltejoSinghoSidhu,oSr.oAdvocate,owithoo Ms.oGagandeepoKauroSidhu,oAdvocate,oandoo Mr.,oChandanoSingh,oAdvocate,o o forotheopetitioneroinoCWP-17371-2022.o o Mr.oNarenderoHooda,oSr.oAdvocate,owithoo Mr.oRishaboRajoJain,oAdvocate,oandoo Mr.oNaveenoSharma,oAdvocate,o forotheopetitioner-HDFCoBankoLtd.oinoCWP-25590-2022.o o Mr.oPratapoSinghoGill,oAdvocate,oo fororespondentoNo.1oinoCWP-25590-2022.o o Mr.oVikashoMohanoGupta,oAddl.oA.G.oPunjab.oo o Mr.oSamiroRathaur,oAdvocate,oandoo Mr.oA.A.oGeorge,oAdvocate,oo fororespondentoNo.2oinoCWP-25590-2022.o o Ms.oAnuoChatrath,oSr.oAdvocate,owithoo Ms.oDivyaoSharma,oAdvocateoandoo Ms.oSamridhi,oAdvocate,oforotheorespondents/PSPCL.o o o o VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ,oJ.oo o Bothotheseowritopetitionsoareobeingodecidedobyoaocommonoordero consideringothatotheoissueoisointer-related.oooo CWP-17371-2022o oo Theo prayero madeo ino theo presento writo petitiono iso foro seekingo quashingoofotheoimpugnedoMemooNo.2336/38odatedo19.07.2022o(Annexureo P-4)oissuedobyorespondentoNo.5-theoAssistantoExecutiveoEngineer,oPSPCL,o wherebyo theo petitionero haso beeno directedo too deposito theo outstandingo billo allegedlyo byo levyingo ano illegalo penaltyo ando fineo ando withouto disclosingo bifurcationoofotheooutstandingobill,ofineochargedoandotheopenalitiesoimposed.o Aofurtheroprayerohasobeenomadeoforoseekingodirectionsotootheorespondentsotoo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -3-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o notodis-connectotheoelectricityosupplyoasotheosameoisolikelyotoocauseohardshipo tootheoresidentsoofotheolocality.oo o Theopetitioner-Companyowasoincorporatedoinotheoyearo2001oando haso beeno developingo variouso projects/townshipso aftero obtainingo sanctions/approvalso fromo theo competento Authority.o Variouso projectso areo currentlyo ato differento stageso ofo developmento ando certaino connectionso foro developingo residentialo colonieso haveo alreadyo beeno releasedo byo theo respondento Distributiono licensee.o Ano agreemento datedo 22.06.2006o (Annexureo P-3)o waso executedo betweeno theo petitioner-Companyo ando theo StateoofoPunjaboasoperowhichotheoGovernmentoofoPunjabowasotoofacilitateotheo provisionso ofo powero supply,o road,o accessibility,o watero ando infrastructureo afterotheopetitioner-companyohasoappliedoforotheosameowithotheoconcernedo Department/Authorityo ono fulfillmento ofo variouso termso ando conditionso requiredo therein.o Theo petitioner-Companyo waso grantedo temporaryo meterso underovariousosuchocontractsoforosupplyoofoelectricityotootheoallotteesoono temporaryo basis.o Ito iso claimedo byo theo petitioner-Companyo thato ito waso regularlyopayingotheoenergyoconsumptionocharges,ohowever,otheoallotteeso stoppedo theo energyo consumptiono chargeso witho theo onseto ofo Covido –o 19o Pandemicoandoasoaoresultothereof,otheopetitioner-companyowasonotoableotoo releaseotheopendingopayments.oTheoPSPCLoraisedoaodemandowithoutogivingo details/breakupoofotheocalculationsoandoalsoocarriedooutodis-connectionsoofo electricityo supplyo too manyo allottees.o Ao demando showingo theo totalo outstandingoamountoofoRs.3,45,78,500/-oasoono27.06.2022owasoraisedoagainsto theo petitioner-companyo withouto disclosingo theo actualo usage,o fineo ando penalty.oTheopetitioner-companyodepositedosomeoamountoono19.07.2022oando CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -4-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o alsoosoughtoforodetailsoaboutotheocalculations.oRespondent,ohowever,ocarriedo outodisconnectionoofoelectricityosupplyoinocaseoofonon-payment.oItoisoclaimedo thatoaodemandonoticeosentobyotheorespondentoDistributionolicenseeoisoillegalo andoarbitraryoandothatotheorespondentsohaveonotogivenoanyodetailsoofotheo actualoconsumptionoand/orotheovariousocomponentsoofotheodemandoraisedo fromoit.oHence,otheopresentopetitionowasofiled.oooooooooo o Ao shorto affidavito ono behalfoofo respondentso No.2otoo4o ofo Er.o TaranjeetoSingh,oSenioroExecutiveoEngineer,oOperationoDivisiono(Special),o PSPCL,oMohali,owasofiled,owhereinoitohasobeenoaverredothatotheopetitioner-company-consumerohasooutstandingopaymentsoinorelationotoo13oAccountso withinotheostipulatedotimeoi.e.oono30.8.2022.oTheodetailolistoofo13oAccountso withoitsopendingotentativeoenergyochargesoalongowithoaoseparateoheadoofototalo energyochargesoinclusiveoofopenaltyohasobeenoattachedoasoAnnexureoR-1.ooIto isomentionedothatothereohasobeenopermanentodisconnectionoofo03oAccountso mentionedo ato Sr.o No.4,o 5o ando 6o ino theo listo attachedo bearingo Accountso No.3000329503,o300327301oando3004876021oandothatoAccountoNo.4oando5o belongsotootheobuilderoownohouseoandoindustryorespectively.oTheosumototalo ofo theo outstandingo paymentso alongo witho theo lateo paymento charges,o unauthorizedouseoofoenergyo(UUE)oandoamountotransferredotoootheroaccountso etc.o haso alsoo beeno detailed.o Ito iso furthero averredo thato excesso amounto depositedo byo theo petitioner-companyo ino theo pendingo accounto (outo ofo theo mentionedo13oAccounts)owasoadjustedoagainstorecoveryoofooutstandingodueso fromotheopetitioneroinootheroaccounts.oTheocreditoofotheooutstandingoamounto wasothusogivenotootheopetitioneroinotheootheroaccounts/paymentsothatowereo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -5-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o outstandingouponohim.oTheodetailsoofotheoamountsotransferred/adjustedoino otheroAccountsoisoasounder:-o o"a)o Theo consumer/petitionero madeo ao paymento ofo ano excesso amounto ofo Rs.o 53,06,312/-.whicho waso dueo too 4o differento accountsoinoaosingleoaccountobearingoaccountono.o3004716376o (serialono.o3)otherefore,otheoexcessoamountofromothisoaccounto wasotransferred/oadjustedoothero3oaccountsomentionedoatoserialo no.o1,o4oando5orespectively,o o b)oRs.o22,06,312/-otransferredotooaccountono.'so3005632728o+o 30000329503o amountingo too Rs.o 3,90,612/-o +o 18,15,700/-o ono

23.08.2021.o o c)oRs.o21,00,000/-otransferredotooaccountono.'so3005632728o+o 30000329503o+o 3003327301o amountingotoo Rs.o 6,00,000/-o +o 11,00,000/+4,00,000/-oono30.06.2021.o o d)oRs.o10,00,000/-otransferredotooaccountono.o3003327301oono

11.01.2022."o o o o ooItoisosubmittedothatotheoactoofotheodistributionolicenseeoisowithino theoscopeoofotheorulesoandoregulationsotoorecoverotheopendingoduesofromotheo defaultingoaccountsounderoRegulationso36oando37oofotheoElectricityoSupplyo CodeoreadowithoSectiono126oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003.oSomeoelectricityo connectionsowereopermanentlyodisconnectedoonoaccountoofonon-paymentoaso peroRegulationo91oofotheoElectricityoSupplyoInstructionsoManualoandopenaltyo hasobeenocalculatedoinoaccordanceowithoRegulationo31.9oofotheoElectricityo SupplyoCode.oo CWP-25590-2022o CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -6-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o o o Prayeroinotheopresentowritopetitionoisoforoseekingoissuanceoofo directionsotoorespondentoNo.1otoosanctiononewoelectricityometeroconnectiono st nd rdinotheonameoofotheopetitioneroatotheopremisesoi.e.o1 ,o2 oando3 oFlooroofoC-110,o Phaseo 7,o Mohali,o Punjab,o i.e.o theo premiseso ino possessiono ofo theo petitionerovideoregisteredoleaseodeedodatedo05.02.2018owithoutoinsistingoono paymentoofotheoelectricityoduesoaccruedoagainstorespondentoNo.3-landoownero forotheoentireobuildingoinoquestion.oAofurtherodirectionohasobeenosoughtoforo reconsideringotheoonlineoapplicationodatedo03.06.2022o(AnnexureoP-16)oforo releaseoofofreshoelectricityoconnection.oTheopetitioneroisoaobankingoinstitutiono ando hado enteredointoo ano agreemento withotheoownero i.e.o respondento No.3o JarnailoSinghoforotakingotheoaboveosaidopremisesoonolease.oTheosaidobuildingo wasomortgagedobyorespondentoNo.3oJarnailoSinghotoosecureoloanoforoaosumo ofo approximatelyo Rs.20o Croreso buto electricityo supplyo too theo aforesaido buildingo has,o however,o beeno restrainedo byo theo respondento distributiono licenseeoforotheoreasonsothatothereoareosomeounpaidoelectricityoduesoonotheo buildingoandothatorespondentoNo.2-IndiaoBullsoCommercialoCreditoLimitedo haso attachedo theo aboveo saido buildingo ino termso ofo theo Securitisationo ando ReconstructionoofoFinancialoAssetsoandoEnforcementoofoSecurityoInteresto Act,o2002o(foroshorto'theoSARFAESIoAct').oTheooutstandingoamountowaso notopaidobyotheoowneroi.e.otheorespondentoNo.3oJarnailoSinghodueotoowhicho theoelectricityosupplyowasodisconnected.oo o o ItoisoaverredothatotheopetitioneroBankingoInstitutionohasobeeno regularlyo payingo itso electricityo dueso ando consumptiono chargeso ando thato notwithstandingotheosame,otheoelectricityosupplyotootheopetitionerohasobeeno discontinuedoonoaccountoofotheoarrearsowhichoareotoobeorecoveredofromotheo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -7-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o landlord/owner.oPetitioneroisothusoconstrainedotoorunobankingooperationsobyo generatingoelectricityothroughoDieseloGeneratoroSet.oTheopetitioneroclaimso thatoitoisoatonoofaultoandothatoitoisoreadyoandowillingotoopayoallotheoelectricityo consumptionochargesoandothatotheorespondentodistributionolicenseeooughtotoo effectorecoveryofromotheoowneroofotheopremisesoandonototoodenyotheoreleaseo ofoelectricityometerotootheopetitionerobankingoinstitutionowhichotheopetitionero isonotoliableotoopay.ooItoisofurtheroaverredothatopetitionerobankingoinstitutionoiso st nd rdpayingoRs.12,00,000/-operomonthoforotheo1 ,o2 oando3 oFlooroofoC-110,o Phaseo7,oMohali,oPunjaboandothatoitomayobeoorderedotoodepositotheoaboveo saidoarrearsoinoinstallments.oVariousorepresentationsohaveobeenosentobyotheo petitionero too theo respondento agencieso too releaseo theo newo electricityo connection,ohowever,otheosameohasofailedotooyieldoanyoresult.oTheopublico servicesobeingoofferedobyotheopetitioneroareogravelyoprejudicedodueotoonon-releaseoofotheoelectricityoconnection.oThus,otheowritopetition.o o o ShortoreplyobyowayoofoaffidavitoonobehalfooforespondentoNo.1oofo Er.o Taranjeeto Singh,o Senioro Executiveo Engineer,o Operationo Divisiono (Special),oPSPCL,oMohali,owasofiled,owhereinoitohasobeenoaverredothatothereo areo10odifferentoelectricityoconnectionsorunningothatobelongsotooJarnailoSingho BajwaoandothatoheohasodefaultedotootheoextentoofoRs.4,40,47,526/-oasoono

26.10.2022oagainstoalloaccounts.oTheodefaultingoamountoagainstotheopremiseso C-110,o Phaseo 7,o Mohalio waso Rs.1,24,99,197/-.o Ito iso averredo thato theo electricityosupplyocannotobeorestoredotootheosaidosite/premisesountilotheoentireo defaultedoamountoisopaidoand/orotheoduesoareoclearedoinoviewoofoRegulationo

30.13otoo30.15oofotheoElectricityoSupplyoCode.oTheosaidoRegulationsoareo extractedoasounder:-o CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -8-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o "30.13ooIfoaoconsumerovacatesoanyopremisesotoowhichoelectricityo hasobeenosuppliedobyoaodistributionolicenseeowithoutopayingoallo chargeso dueo fromo himo ino respectoofosucho supply,o oroforo theo provisiono ofo ano electricityo meter,o electrico lineo oro electricalo plant,otheodistributionolicenseeomayorefuseotoogiveohimosupplyoato anyootheropremisesountiloheopaysotheoamountodueoandoalsoomayo refuseotooconnectosuchopremisesoeitheroonorequestofromoexistingo consumerooroonoapplicationoforonewoconnectionobyoanyopersono tilloalloduesoareocleared.oo o

30.14oOnceotheofinalobilloisoraisedounderoRegulationo30.12,otheo distributionolicenseeoshallonotohaveotheorightotoorecoveroanyo otherocharge(s)ofromotheonewooccupantoofotheopremises.oo o

30.15oInocaseoofotransferoofopropertyobyosale/inheritance,otheo purchaser/o heiro shallo beo liableo too payo allo chargeso dueo witho respectotoosuchopropertyoandofoundosubsequentlyorecoverableo fromotheoconsumer."o o o o Thus,oitoisoaverredothatoaomereochangeoofotheoconsumerodoesonoto prohibitotheodistributionolicenseeofororaisingoaodemandofromotheopersonowhoo occupiesotheopremisesoandothatoitomayorefuseotoogiveosupplyountilotheoamounto isopaid.oItoisoaverredothatoinoviewoofotheoaforesaidostatutoryoprovision,oito cannotoreinstateotheoelectricityosupplyoororeleaseotheoelectricityoconnectiono untiloandounlessotheoentireoarrearsoareocleared.oo o o oAoseparateoshortoreplyohadoalsoobeenofiledobyorespondentoNo.2-Indiao Bullso Commercialo Credito Ltd.o whereino ito iso averredo thato theo issueo wouldobeobarredounderoSectiono34oofotheoSARFAESIoAct,o2002.oAocivilo Courtodoeso noto haveo anyo jurisdictiono toograntoanyo injunctiono and/oro anyo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -9-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o otherodirectionsonorotheopropertyoinoquestionohadobeenopurchasedobyotheosaido respondent.oo o o Learnedocounseloappearingoforotheopartiesohaveoreiteratedotheiro argumentsonoticedoaboveoandotheyoclaimothatotheooperationsoofotheobankingo institutiono areo prejudiciallyo affectedo byo non-releaseo ofo theo electricityo connectionoandothatotheodetailsoofotheooutstandingoamountohaveonotobeeno informed.oConsequently,otheopetitionersocannotobeodeniedotheoreleaseoofotheo electricityo connectiono ono theo frivolouso contexto ando thato theo respondentso shouldo reviewo theo amounto demandedo ando granto sufficiento timeo too theo petitioneroHDFCoBank,owhooisoaotenant,otooclearotheodues.oo o o Pero contra,o theo contentiono ofo theo learnedo counselo foro theo respondentsoisothatotheodetailsoofotheooutstandingoamountoagainstodifferento accountsohaveoalreadyobeenofurnishedoincludingotheoamountotransferredofromo differento accountso ofo theo respondento landlord.o Upono computingo theo outstandingoamount/arrearsoandoadjustingotheoexcessoamountoreceivedofromo theolandlord,otheooutstandingoamount,otheopaymentoreceived,otheodetailsoofo theoamountotransferredoorootheroamountsoareotabulatedoasounder:-o o o Bifurcationoo Invoiceso 21297362o LP/LM/GBo 4487652o UUEo 5896692o Paymento -19108436o Amounto transferredo 27913041o fromootheroaccountsoo Totaloo 40486311o o o o o Ito iso thuso claimedo thato ano amounto ofo Rs.4,04,86,311/-o iso outstandingoagainstotheodifferentoaccountsoofotheorespondentolandlord.oHeo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -10-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o arguesothatotheodisputeoregardingotheocomputationoand/orotheodemandoraisedo iso amenableo too differento alternativeo remedies.o Ino soo faro aso theo demando againstounauthorizedouseoofoelectricityoisoconcerned,otheosameoisoappealableo underoSectiono127oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003owhereasotheobillingodisputeoaso welloasotheoconsumptionocharges,oifodisputed,oareosubjectotootheojurisdictiono ofotheoConsumeroGrievancesoRedressaloForumounderoSectiono42o(5)oofotheo ElectricityoAct,o2003.oHeocontendsothatoallotheseodisputedoquestionsoofofacto asoareobeingosoughtotoobeoagitatedotodayoareonototoobeogoneointoobyoaowrito Courtoandothatotheopetitionersoshould,oifosooadvised,oapproachotheocompetento alternativeoDisputeoRedressaloForumoforoseekingoresolutionoofotheirodisputes.ooo o o oIohaveoheardotheolearnedocounseloforotheorespectiveopartiesoando haveo goneo througho theo Annexureso appendedo alongo witho theo presento petitions.o o o Beforeo proceedingo furthero intoo theo matter,o certaino relevanto provisionsoasoareonecessaryoforoadjudicationoofotheopresentowritopetitionsoareo beingoadvertedotoohereinafterobelow:-o o o "ElectricityoAct,o2003:oObject"o "Ano Acto too consolidateo theo lawso relatingo too generation,o transmission,odistribution,otradingoandouseoofoelectricityoando generallyo foro takingo measureso conduciveo too developmento ofo electricityoindustry,opromotingocompetitionotherein,oprotectingo interesto ofo consumerso ando supplyo ofo electricityo too allo areas,o rationalisationo ofo electricityo tariff,o ensuringo transparento policieso regardingo subsidies,o promotiono ofo efficiento ando environmentallyo benigno policies,o constitutiono ofo Centralo Electricityo Authority,o Regulatoryo Commissionso ando CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -11-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o establishmentoofoAppellateoTribunaloandoforomattersoconnectedo therewithooroincidentalothereto.o ooo o o o xxxo xxxo xxxo o o

42.oDutiesoofodistributionolicenseeoandoopenoaccess.—o

(1)oItoshallobeotheodutyoofoaodistributionolicenseeotoodevelopoando maintaino ano efficient,o co-ordinatedo ando economicalo distributiono systemo ino hiso areao ofo supplyo ando too supplyo electricityoinoaccordanceowithotheoprovisionsocontainedoinothiso Act.oo o

(2)oTheoStateoCommissionoshallointroduceoopenoaccessoinosucho phaseso ando subjecto too sucho conditions,o (includingo theo crosso subsidies,o ando othero operationalo constraints)o aso mayo beo specifiedowithinooneoyearoofotheoappointedodateobyoitoandoino specifyingotheoextentoofoopenoaccessoinosuccessiveophasesoandoino determiningotheochargesoforowheeling,oitoshallohaveodueoregardo tooallorelevantofactorsoincludingosuchocrossosubsidies,oandoothero operationaloconstraints:oo o Providedothatosuchoopenoaccessoshallobeoallowedoonopaymentoofo aosurchargeoinoadditionotootheochargesoforowheelingoasomayobeo determinedobyotheoStateoCommission:oo o Providedofurtherothatosuchosurchargeoshallobeoutilisedotoomeeto theorequirementsoofocurrentoleveloofocrossosubsidyowithinotheo areaoofosupplyoofotheodistributionolicensee:oo o Providedoalsoothatosuchosurchargeoandocrossosubsidiesoshallobeo progressivelyoreducedoinotheomanneroasomayobeospecifiedobyotheo StateoCommission:oo o CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -12-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o Providedoalsoothatosuchosurchargeoshallonotobeoleviableoinocaseo openo accesso iso providedo too ao persono whoo haso establishedo ao captiveo generatingo planto foro carryingo theo electricityo too theo destinationoofohisoownouse:o ProvidedoalsoothatotheoStateoCommissionoshall,onotolaterothano fiveoyearsofromotheodateoofocommencementoofotheoElectricityo (Amendment)oAct,o2003o(57oofo2003),obyoregulations,oprovideo suchoopenoaccessotooalloconsumersowhoorequireoaosupplyoofo electricityowhereotheomaximumopowerotoobeomadeoavailableoato anyotimeoexceedsooneomegawatt.o o

(3)oWhereoanyoperson,owhoseopremisesoareosituatedowithinotheo areaoofosupplyoofoaodistributionolicensee,o(notobeingoaolocalo authorityoengagedoinotheobusinessoofodistributionoofoelectricityo beforeotheoappointedodate)orequiresoaosupplyoofoelectricityofromo ao generatingo companyo oro anyo licenseeo othero thano sucho distributionolicensee,osuchopersonomay,obyonotice,orequireotheo distributiono licenseeo foro wheelingo sucho electricityo ino accordanceo witho regulationso madeo byo theo Stateo Commissiono andotheodutiesoofotheodistributionolicenseeowithorespectotoosucho supplyo shallo beo ofo ao commono carriero providingo non-discriminatoryoopenoaccess.oo o

(4)oWhereotheoStateoCommissionopermitsoaoconsumerooroclasso ofo consumerso too receiveo supplyo ofo electricityo fromo ao persono otherothanotheodistributionolicenseeoofohisoareaoofosupply,osucho consumeroshallobeoliableotoopayoanoadditionalosurchargeoonotheo chargeso ofo wheeling,o aso mayo beo specifiedo byo theo Stateo Commission,otoomeetotheofixedocostoofosuchodistributionolicenseeo arisingooutoofohisoobligationotoosupply.oo o

(5)oEveryodistributionolicenseeoshall,owithinosixomonthsofromotheo appointedodateoorodateoofograntoofolicence,owhicheveroisoearlier,o CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -13-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o establishoaoforumofororedressaloofogrievancesoofotheoconsumerso inoaccordanceowithotheoguidelinesoasomayobeospecifiedobyotheo StateoCommission.oo o o

(6)oAnyoconsumer,owhooisoaggrievedobyonon-redressaloofohiso grievancesounderosub-sectiono(5),omayomakeoaorepresentationo forotheoredressaloofohisogrievanceotooanoauthorityotoobeoknowno aso Ombudsmano too beo appointedo oro designatedo byo theo Stateo Commission.oo o

(7)oTheoOmbudsmanoshallosettleotheogrievanceoofotheoconsumero withinosuchotimeoandoinosuchomanneroasomayobeospecifiedobyotheo StateoCommission.oo o

(8)o Theo provisionso ofo sub-sectionso (5),o (6)o ando (7)o shallo beo withoutoprejudiceotoorightowhichotheoconsumeromayohaveoaparto fromotheorightsoconferredouponohimobyothoseosub-sections.o o

43.oDutyotoosupplyoonorequest.—(1)oSaveoasootherwiseoprovidedo inothisoAct,oeveryodistributionolicensee,oshall,oonoanoapplicationo byo theo ownero oro occupiero ofo anyo premises,o giveo supplyo ofo electricityotoosuchopremises,owithinooneomonthoafteroreceiptoofo theoapplicationorequiringosuchosupply:oo o Providedo thato whereo sucho supplyo requireso extensiono ofo distributionomains,oorocommissioningoofonewosub-stations,otheo distributiono licenseeo shallo supplyo theo electricityo too sucho premisesoimmediatelyoafterosuchoextensionoorocommissioningo orowithinosuchoperiodoasomayobeospecifiedobyotheoAppropriateo Commission:oo o CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -14-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o Providedofurtherothatoinocaseoofoaovillageoorohamletooroareao whereino noo provisiono foro supplyo ofo electricityo exists,o theo AppropriateoCommissionomayoextendotheosaidoperiodoasoitomayo consideronecessaryoforoelectrificationoofosuchovillageoorohamleto oroarea.oo o Explanation.—Foro theo purposeso ofo thiso sub-section,o "application"omeansotheoapplicationocompleteoinoallorespectso ino theo appropriateo form,o aso requiredo byo theo distributiono licensee,oalongowithodocumentsoshowingopaymentoofonecessaryo chargesoandootherocompliances.o o

(2)oItoshallobeotheodutyoofoeveryodistributionolicenseeotooprovide,o iforequired,o electricoplantooroelectrico lineo forogivingoelectrico supplyotootheopremisesospecifiedoinosub-sectiono(1):oo o Providedo thato noo persono shallo beo entitledo too demand,o oro too continueotooreceive,ofromoaolicenseeoaosupplyoofoelectricityoforo anyopremisesohavingoaoseparateosupplyounlessoheohasoagreedo withotheolicenseeotoopayotoohimosuchopriceoasodeterminedobyotheo AppropriateoCommission.oo o

(3)o Ifo ao distributiono licenseeo failso too supplyo theo electricityo withinotheoperiodospecifiedoinosub-sectiono(1),oheoshallobeoliableo tooaopenaltyowhichomayoextendotoooneothousandorupeesoforoeacho dayoofodefault.o o o xxxo xxxo xxxo

45.oPowerotoorecoverocharges.—(1)oSubjectotootheoprovisionsoofo thisosection,otheopricesotoobeochargedobyoaodistributionolicenseeo forotheosupplyoofoelectricityobyohimoinopursuanceoofosectiono43o shallobeoinoaccordanceowithosuchotariffsofixedofromotimeotootimeo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -15-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o

(2)o Theo chargeso foro electricityo suppliedo byo ao distributiono licenseeoshallobe—oo

(a)ofixedoinoaccordanceowithotheomethodsoandotheoprinciplesoaso mayobeospecifiedobyotheoconcernedoStateoCommission;oo

(b)opublishedoinosuchomannerosooasotoogiveoadequateopublicityo forosuchochargesoandoprices.oo

(3)o Theo chargeso foro electricityo suppliedo byo ao distributiono licenseeomayoinclude—oo

(a)o ao fixedo chargeo ino additiono too theo chargeo foro theo actualo electricityosupplied;oo

(b)oaorentoorootherochargesoinorespectoofoanyoelectricometerooro electricaloplantoprovidedobyotheodistributionolicensee.oo o

(4)oSubjectotootheoprovisionsoofosectiono62,oinofixingochargeso underothisosectionoaodistributionolicenseeoshallonotoshowoundueo preferenceotooanyopersonooroclassoofopersonsoorodiscriminationo againstoanyopersonooroclassoofopersons.oo o

(5)oTheochargesofixedobyotheodistributionolicenseeoshallobeoino accordanceowithotheoprovisionsoofothisoActoandotheoregulationso madeoinothisobehalfobyotheoconcernedoStateoCommission.o o o Xxxo xxxo xxo o

50.oTheoElectricityosupplyocode.—TheoStateoCommissionoshallo specifyoanoelectricityosupplyocodeotooprovideofororecoveryoofo electricityocharges,ointervalsoforobillingoofoelectricityocharges,o disconnectionoofosupplyoofoelectricityoforonon-paymentothereof,o restorationo ofo supplyo ofo electricity,o measureso foro preventingo tampering,odistressoorodamageotooelectricaloplantooroelectricalo lineo oro meter,o entryo ofo distributiono licenseeo oro anyo persono actingoonohisobehalfoforodisconnectingosupplyoandoremovingotheo meter,o entryo foro replacing,o alteringo oro maintainingo electrico linesooroelectricaloplantsoorometeroandosuchootheromatters.o CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -16-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o o xxxo xxxo xxxo o

56.oDisconnectionoofosupplyoinodefaultoofopayment.—(1)oWhereo anyopersononeglectsotoopayoanyochargeoforoelectricityooroanyo sumo othero thano ao chargeo foro electricityo dueo fromo himo too ao licenseeo oro theo generatingo companyo ino respecto ofo supply,o transmissionoorodistributionoorowheelingoofoelectricityotoohim,o theolicenseeoorotheogeneratingocompanyomay,oafterogivingonoto lessothanofifteenoclearodays'onoticeoinowriting,otoosuchopersono andowithoutoprejudiceotoohisorightsotoorecoverosuchochargeooro otherosumobyosuit,ocutooffotheosupplyoofoelectricityoandoforothato purposeo cuto oro disconnecto anyo electrico supplyo lineo oro othero worksobeingotheopropertyoofosucholicenseeoorotheogeneratingo companyo througho whicho electricityo mayo haveo beeno supplied,o transmitted,odistributedoorowheeledoandomayodiscontinueotheo supplyo untilo sucho chargeo oro othero sum,o togethero witho anyo expensesoincurredobyohimoinocuttingooffoandoreconnectingotheo supply,oareopaid,obutonoolonger:oo Providedothatotheosupplyoofoelectricityoshallonotobeocutooffoifo suchopersonodeposits,ounderoprotest,—oo

(a)oanoamountoequalotootheosumoclaimedofromohim,ooroo

(b)o theo electricityo chargeso dueo fromo himo foro eacho montho calculatedoonotheobasisoofoaverageochargeoforoelectricityopaido byo himo duringo theo precedingo sixo months,o whichevero iso less,o pendingodisposaloofoanyodisputeobetweenohimoandotheolicensee.oo o

(2)oNotwithstandingoanythingocontainedoinoanyootherolawoforo theotimeobeingoinoforce,onoosumodueofromoanyoconsumer,oundero thisosectionoshallobeorecoverableoafterotheoperiodoofotwooyearso fromotheodateowhenosuchosumobecameofirstodueounlessosuchosumo haso beeno showno continuouslyo aso recoverableo aso arrearo ofo chargesoforoelectricityosuppliedoandotheolicenseeoshallonotocuto CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -17-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o o o o xxxo xxxo xxxo o

126.o Assessment.—o (1)o Ifo ono ano inspectiono ofo anyo placeo oro premiseso oro aftero inspectiono ofo theo equipments,o gadgets,o machines,odevicesofoundoconnectedooroused,ooroafteroinspectiono ofo recordso maintainedo byo anyo person,o theo assessingo officero comeso too theo conclusiono thato sucho persono iso indulgingo ino unauthorisedouseoofoelectricity,oheoshalloprovisionallyoassessotoo theobestoofohisojudgmentotheoelectricityochargesopayableobyosucho personoorobyoanyootheropersonobenefitedobyosuchouse.oo o

(2)oTheoorderoofoprovisionaloassessmentoshallobeoservedoupono theo persono ino occupationo oro possessiono oro ino chargeo ofo theo placeooropremisesoinosuchomanneroasomayobeoprescribed.oo o

(3)oTheoperson,oonowhomoanoorderohasobeenoservedounderosub-sectiono(2),oshallobeoentitledotoofileoobjections,oifoany,oagainsto theoprovisionaloassessmentobeforeotheoassessingoofficer,owhoo shall,oafteroaffordingoaoreasonableoopportunityoofohearingotoo suchoperson,opassoaofinaloorderoofoassessmentowithinothirtyodayso fromo theo dateo ofo serviceo ofo sucho ordero ofo provisionalo assessment,oofotheoelectricityochargesopayableobyosuchoperson.]oo o

(4)oAnyopersonoservedowithotheoorderoofoprovisionaloassessmento may,oacceptosuchoassessmentoandodepositotheoassessedoamounto witho theo licenseeo withino seveno dayso ofo serviceo ofo sucho provisionaloassessmentoorderouponohim:oo o

(5)o Ifo theo assessingo officero reacheso too theo conclusiono thato unauthorisedouseoofoelectricityohasotakenoplace,otheoassessmento shallo beo madeo foro theo entireo periodo duringo whicho sucho unauthorisedouseoofoelectricityohasotakenoplaceoandoif,ohowever,o theoperiododuringowhichosuchounauthorisedouseoofoelectricityo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -18-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o hasotakenoplaceocannotobeoascertained,osuchoperiodoshallobeo limitedotooaoperiodoofotwelveomonthsoimmediatelyoprecedingotheo dateoofoinspectiono o

(6)oTheoassessmentounderothisosectionoshallobeomadeoatoaorateo equalo too theo tariffo applicableo foro theo relevanto categoryo ofo servicesospecifiedoinosub-sectiono(5).oo o Explanation.—Forotheopurposesoofothisosection,o—oo

(a)o"assessingoofficer"omeansoanoofficeroofoaoStateoGovernmento oroBoardoorolicensee,oasotheocaseomayobe,odesignatedoasosucho byotheoStateoGovernment;oo

(b)o "unauthorisedo useo ofo electricity"o meanso theo usageo ofo electricity–oo

(i)obyoanyoartificialomeans;ooroo

(ii)o byo ao meanso noto authorisedo byo theo concernedo persono oro authorityoorolicensee;ooroo

(iii)othroughoaotamperedometer;ooroo

(iv)o foro theo purposeo othero thano foro whicho theo usageo ofo electricityowasoauthorised;ooroo

(v)oforotheopremisesooroareasootherothanothoseoforowhichotheo supplyoofoelectricityowasoauthorised.o o

127.oAppealotooAppellateoAuthority.—(1)oAnyopersonoaggrievedo byotheofinaloorderomadeounderosectiono126omay,owithinothirtyo daysoofotheosaidoorder,opreferoanoappealoinosuchoform,overifiedo inosuchomanneroandobeoaccompaniedobyosuchofeeoasomayobeo specifiedobyotheoStateoCommission,otooanoappellateoauthorityoaso mayobeoprescribed.oo o

(2)o Noo appealo againsto ano ordero ofo assessmento undero sub-sectiono(1)oshallobeoentertainedounlessoanoamountoequalotoo3o halfoofotheoassessedoamount]oisodepositedoinocashoorobyowayoofo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -19-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o bankodraftowithotheolicenseeoandodocumentaryoevidenceoofosucho depositohasobeenoenclosedoalongowithotheoappeal.oo o

(3)oTheoappellateoauthorityoreferredotooinosub-sectiono(1)oshallo disposeo ofo theo appealo aftero hearingo theo partieso ando passo appropriateoorderoandosendocopyoofotheoorderotootheoassessingo officeroandotheoappellant.oo o

(4)o Theo ordero ofo theo appellateo authorityo referredo too ino sub-sectiono(1)opassedounderosub-sectiono(3)oshallobeofinal.oo o

(5)oNooappealoshallolieotootheoappellateoauthorityoreferredotooino sub-sectiono(1)oagainstotheofinaloorderomadeowithotheoconsentoofo theoparties.oo o

(6)o Wheno ao persono defaultso ino makingo paymento ofo assessedo amount,ohe,oinoadditionotootheoassessedoamountoshallobeoliableo toopay,oonotheoexpiryoofothirtyodaysofromotheodateoofoorderoofo assessment,oanoamountoofointerestoatotheorateoofosixteenoperocento peroannumocompoundedoeveryosixomonths.o o o o xxxo xxxo xxxo o ELECTRICITYoSUPPLYoCODEo "30.12oCHANGEoOFoOCCUPANCYoo o Ito shallo beo theo responsibilityo ofo theo owner/occupanto ofo ao premiseso too geto ao specialo readingo doneo byo theo distributiono licenseeoatotheotimeoofochangeoofooccupancyooroonotheopremiseso fallingo vacant.o Theo ownero oro occupiero mayo requesto theo distributionolicenseeoinowritingoforoaospecialoreadingoatoleasto15o daysoinoadvanceoofosuchoaochange.oTheodistributionolicenseeo shallo arrangeo ao specialo readingo ando delivero theo finalo bill,o includingoalloarrearsotillotheodateoofobilling,owithino7odaysoofotheo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -20-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o meteroreading.oTheofinalobilloshalloalsooincludeopaymentoforotheo periodobetweenotheodateoofospecialoreadingoandotheoproposedo vacationoofotheopremisesoonoaoproorataobasis.o o

30.13ooIfoaoconsumerovacatesoanyopremisesotoowhichoelectricityo hasobeenosuppliedobyoaodistributionolicenseeowithoutopayingoallo chargeso dueo fromo himo ino respectoofosucho supply,o oroforo theo provisiono ofo ano electricityo meter,o electrico lineo oro electricalo plant,otheodistributionolicenseeomayorefuseotoogiveohimosupplyoato anyootheropremisesountiloheopaysotheoamountodueoandoalsoomayo refuseotooconnectosuchopremisesoeitheroonorequestofromoexistingo consumerooroonoapplicationoforonewoconnectionobyoanyopersono tilloalloduesoareocleared.oo o

30.14oOnceotheofinalobilloisoraisedounderoRegulationo30.12,otheo distributionolicenseeoshallonotohaveotheorightotoorecoveroanyo otherocharge(s)ofromotheonewooccupantoofotheopremises.oo o

30.15oInocaseoofotransferoofopropertyobyosale/inheritance,otheo purchaser/o heiro shallo beo liableo too payo allo chargeso dueo witho respectotoosuchopropertyoandofoundosubsequentlyorecoverableo fromotheoconsumer."o o o o o Further,otheoPunjaboStateoElectricityoRegulatoryoCommissiono notifiedo theo PSERCo (Forumo ando Ombudsman)o Regulations,o 2016o video notificationodatedo26.12.2016,ofororedressaloofogrievancesoofotheoconsumerso andotheorelevantoregulationsoareoextractedoasounder:-o o oo "DEFINITIONSoo

1.5o Ino theseo Regulations,o unlesso theo contexto otherwiseo requires:-o CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -21-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o

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

(g)o "consumero grievance"o meanso &o includeso anyo complainto relatingo too anyo fault,o imperfection,o shorto coming,o defecto oro deficiencyo ino theo quality,o natureo ando mannero ofo serviceo oro performanceoinopursuanceoofoaolicence,ocontract,oagreementooro underoElectricityoSupplyoCodeooroinorelationotooStandardsoofo PerformanceospecifiedobyotheoCommissionoincludingopaymento ofocompensationoorobillingodisputesoofoanyonatureoororecoveryo ofochargesobyotheolicenseeoandomattersorelatingotootheosafetyoofo theodistributionosystemohavingopotentialoofoendangeringotheolifeo oroproperty.oHowever,otheomattersopertainingotooopenoAccesso grantedounderotheoActoandoSectiono126,o127,o135otoo140,o142,o 143,o 146,o 152o ando 161o ofo theo Acto shallo noto formo grievanceo underotheseoregulations.o o o xxxo xxxo xxxo o CONSUMER'SoRIGHToTOoAPPROACHoo

2.22o Foro expeditiouso resolutiono ofo theo complianto ofo ao complainantoatotheolocalolevel,otheoCommissionomayoapproveoao procedureo namelyo "Consumero Complainto Handlingo Procedure"o (ino shorto CCHP)o whicho shallo performo sucho functionsoandoshallohaveosuchojurisdictionoasomayobeoapprovedo byotheoCommission.oo o Providedothatotheocomplainantoshallohaveotheorightotooapproacho theo Forumo directlyo ino respecto ofo matterso fallingo undero theo jurisdictionoofotheoForum.oo o ProvidedofurtherothatotheoCommissionomayodispenseowithotheo "Consumero Complainto Handlingo Procedure"o oro amendo ito CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -22-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o withoutoanyonoticeoinocaseotheocontinuationoofosuchoprocedureo isofoundotoobeodetrimentalotootheointerestsoofotheoconsumersooro theolicensee.o o o o xxxo xxxo xxxo JURISDICTIONoo

2.24oTheoForumoshallohaveotheojurisdictionotooentertainoallotheo monetary/non-monetaryo complaints/grievanceo filedo byo theo complainantsoorotootakeoupotheomatterosuo-motoowithorespectotoo theoelectricityoservicesoprovidedobyotheodistributionolicenseeoifo theosameofulfilsotheorequirementsospecifiedoinosub-regulationo(e)o readowithosub-regulationo(g)oofoRegulationo1.5ooroagainstotheo decisionoofoaoDisputeoSettlementoCommitteeoconstitutedoundero CCHP.o xxxo xxxo xxxo GRIEVANCEoFILINGoo

2.28o Everyo grievanceo too theo Forumo musto beo submittedo ino writingotootheoForumostating-oo

(a)otheonameoofotheoindividualoorotheoorganization,ocompleteo postaloaddress,otelephoneonumber,ofaxonumberoandotheoE-mailo addresso(ifoany)oofotheocomplainant;oo

(b)otheonameoofolicensee'soofficeoviz.osub-division,odivisionooro circleoofficeotoowhichotheogrievanceopertainso;oo

(c)oaofullodescriptionoofotheomatter,owhichoisotheosourceoofotheo grievance,o includingo copieso ofo anyo relevanto ando supportingo documents,oifoany;o

(d)otheoreliefoprayedoforo;oo

(e)o thato theo mattero iso noto pendingo beforeo anyo othero court,o authorityooroforumo o xxxo xxxo xxxo

2.32oTheogrievancesoshallobeoprioritizedofororedressalobasedoono theofollowingopriorityoorder:oo a)oNon-Supplyoo b)oConnectionoo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -23-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o c)oDisconnectionoofosupplyoo d)oMeter-relatedoissuesoe)oBilling-relatedoissuesoo f)oOtheroissuesovizodeficiencyoinoserviceo&/oroperformanceo&/oro safetyonormsoetc.oo

2.33oInocaseoofogrievancesorelatedotoonon-supply,oconnectionooro disconnectionoofosupply,otheoForumoshallopassotheoorderowithino 15odaysoofofilingoofotheogrievance.oo o Providedoalsoothatoinotheoeventoofogrievanceobeingodisposedoofo afterotheomaximumoperiodospecifiedoabove,otheoForumoshouldo recordo ino writing,o theo reasonso foro theo sameo ato theo timeo ofo disposingotheosaidogrievanceoandoinformotheoOmbudsman.o o o xxxo xxxo xxxo o SPECIALoPROVISION:oINTERIMoORDER:oo

2.46oUponorequestoofotheoComplainant,otheoForumomayoissueo suchointerimoordersopendingofinalodisposaloofotheogrievanceoaso itomayoconsideronecessaryoincludingobutonotorestrictedotoogranto ofotemporaryoinjunctionotoostayooropreventoororestrainosuchoacto asotheoForumothinksofit.oo o ProvidedothatotheoForumoshallohaveotheopowersotoopassosuchoano interimoorderoinoanyoproceeding,ohearingooromatterobeforeoit,oaso itomayoconsideroappropriateoifotheoComplainantosatisfiesotheo Forumo thato primao facie,o theo Distributiono Licenseeo haso threatenedooroisolikelyotooremoveoorodisconnectotheoelectricityo connection,oandohasooroisolikelyotoocontraveneoanyoprovisionsoofo theoActooroanyorulesoandoregulationsomadeothereunderooroanyo ordero ofo theo Commission,o providedo thato theo Forumo haso jurisdictionoonosuchomatter.oo o Providedofurtherothat,oexceptowhereoitoappearsothatotheoobjecto ofopassingosuchotheointerimoorderowouldobeodefeatedobyodelay,o CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -24-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o noosuchointerimoorderoshallobeopassedounlessotheooppositeopartyo hasobeenogivenoanoopportunityoofobeingoheard.oo o Providedoalsoothatowhereoanyoinjunctionohasobeenograntedobyo theo Forumo withouto noticeo too theo oppositeo party,o theo Forumo shallomakeoeffortsotoofinallyodisposeoofotheoapplicationowithino 30odaysofromotheodateoonowhichotheoinjunctionowasogranted.oo o Providedoalsoothatoanyointerimoorderomayobeoreviewed/setoasideo byotheoForumoonoanoapplicationomadeobyoanyopartyoifoitoisofoundo thato theo complainanto haso madeo ao falseo oro misleadingo statement."o o o o Similaroprovisionsohaveoalsoobeenoprovidedoinorelationotootheo powersovestedowithotheoOmbudsman.oo o o oAo perusalo ofo theo aboveo clearlyo showso thato ino soo faro aso theo grievanceoofotheoconsumerorelatingotooanyobillingodisputeoofoanyonatureooro recoveryo ofo chargeso byo licenseeo etc.o areo concerned,o theo Consumero GrievancesoRedressaloForumoisonotoonlyocompetentotoolookointootheosaido issueobutoisoalsoocompetentotoograntointerimorelief.oIfoaoconsumeroisonoto satisfiedo witho theo outcomeo ofo theo saido decisions,o heo cano prefero ao representationobeforeotheoElectricityoOmbudsman.oo oo Similarly,oinomattersopertainingotoounauthorizedouseoofoenergyo inocaseothereoisonoogrievanceopertainingotootheoassessment/theodemandoraisedo fromo ao consumer,o sucho orderso areo appealableo undero Sectiono 127o ofo theo ElectricityoAct,o2003obeforeotheoAppellateoAuthority.oo oo Additionally,o Regulationo 30.12o makeso ito obligatoryo foro theo owner/occupantotoogetotheospecialoreadingodoneobyotheodistributionolicenseeo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -25-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o atotheotimeoofochangeoofooccupancyoandocalloforoaofinalobilloincludingotheo arrears.o Wheno ao consumero vacateso anyo premiseso withouto payingo allo theo chargesodueofromohim,otheodistributionolicenseeoisoentitledotoorefuseotoogiveo himosupplyoatoanyootheropremisesountiloheopaysotheoamountodueoandoalsoomayo refuseotooconnectosuchopremisesoeitheroonorequestofromoexistingoconsumerooro onoapplicationoforonewoconnectionobyoanyopersonotilloalloduesoareocleared.o Further,oinotheoeventoofoanyotransferoofoproperty,oevenotheosuccessoroisoboundo tooclearoallochargesofoundorecoverableofromotheoconsumer.oNoochallengeotoo anyo ofo theo provisionso ofo theo Statute/regulationso haveo beeno raised.o Theo disputeo primarilyo relateso too quantificationo ofo theo demandedo amounto ando challengeoisoraisedotootheoassessment/computationothereof.oTheoaboveosaido disputeso areo disputedo questionso ofo facto ando aso alternativeo efficaciouso remediesohaveobeenoprovidedounderotheoElectricityoAct,o2003,othereoisonoo reasono aso too whyo thiso Courto shouldo exerciseo itso inherento jurisdictiono too excludeotheostatutoryoremedies.o o o InosoofaroasotheoofferomadeobyotheopetitioneroHDFCoBankotoo clearotheoduesoinoinstallmentsoandoonowaiveroofosurchargeoisoconcerned,oIodoo notofindoitoaosufficientoreasonoforoinvokingotheowritojurisdictionoofothisoCourto asotheopetitioneroBankoisoundisputedlyoliableotoopayorentotootheorespondento landlord.o Theo distributiono licenseeo cannoto beo compelledo too extendo anyo undeservingoconcessionotowardsoaodefaulteroandoitoisoratheroforotheoBankotoo seeko amenitieso fromo theoownero andoifo anyo sucho amenitieso areo noto beingo provided,otooseekocompensationoforosucholapsesofromotheoowner.oThereoiso alsoonooreasonoasotoowhyotheobankoshouldonotopayotheoentireoarrearsoinooneogoo andoneedsoinstallmentsoespeciallyowhenoitomay,oifosooadvised,orecoverotheo CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -26-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o amountsosoodepositedofromotheolandlordoagainstotheorentowhichoitohasotoopay.o ConsideringothatotheoliabilityoagainstotheopremisesoinooccupationoofotheoBanko isoatoRs.1,90,00,000/-oandotheomonthlyorentoisoapproximatelyoRs.12,00,000/-,o ito wouldo noto createo anyo additionalo equityo ino favouro ofo theo Banko merelyo becauseoitoarguesothatodespiteopayingohugeorentotootheoowner,oitodoesonotogeto theobenefitoofoelectricityosupply.oThereoisonoocompulsionoforotheoBankotoo continueo too occupyo theo saido premiseso and/oro anyo hindranceo too payo theo amountotootheodistributionolicenseeoandotoothereafter,otreatotheosameoasoano advanceotootheolandlordoandoeffectorecoveryoofotheosameoalongowithointeresto fromotheolandlordofromotheorentoitohasotoopayotootheolandlord.oApparently,otheo presento writo petitionso seemo too beo aimedo ato seekingo concessionso withouto dischargingoliabilityotootheodistributionolicenseeounderotheogarboofofinancialo hardships.o Theo petitionerso haveo failedo too refero too anyo provisiono ino theo statutoryo schemeo aso pero whichotheo distributiono licenseeo isonoto withino itso rightso too demando arrearso beforeo restoring/reconnectingo theo electricityo supply.o oo Beo thato aso ito may,o theo disputeo primarilyo beingo abouto theo computationo ofo theo demand/penalty/surcharge/UUEo ando alternativeo remedieso beingo availableo undero theo statutoryo scheme,o botho theo presento petitionsoareodisposedoofoatothisostageoarisingooutoofodisputedoquestionsoofo factoandothatoanoalternativeoremedyoisoprovidedounderotheostatutoryoscheme.o Theo petitioner(s)o may,o ifo soo advised,o approacho theo competento statutoryo Forumowhichoareoauthorizedotoodecideotheoissuesoraisedoherein.oo o oNeedlesso too mentiono thato ino theo evento ofo theo petitioner(s)o preferringo ano appropriateo petitiono beforeo theo competento Forum,o ano CWP-17371-2022o(O&M).o o -27-ooooooooo2023:PHHC:140102o o o o expeditiousodecisionoshallobeotakenothereuponoafterograntingoanoopportunityo ofohearingotootheorespectiveoparties.oo o Theopetitionsoareothusodisposedoof.oo o Aophotocopyoofotheoorderobeoplacedoonotheofileoofoconnectedo case.oo o Pendingomisc.oapplications,oifoany,oshalloalsoostandodisposedoofo accordingly.oo o Novembero03,o2023o o o (VINODoS.oBHARDWAJo rajoarorao o o o o ooooooo oooooooJUDGEo o o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedoo :oYes/Noo o o Whetheroreportableoo o :oYes/Noo