BSES asked to pay Rs 50,000 to agriculturist for loss of crops
Reliance-owned power company BSES has been asked by the Delhi Consumer Commission to pay Rs 50,000 to an agriculturist here, whose crops got damaged as he failed to water them due to non-supply of electricity.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Reliance-owned power company BSES has been asked by the Delhi Consumer Commission to pay Rs 50,000 to an agriculturist here, whose crops got damaged as he failed to water them due to non-supply of electricity.
"Once the report was lodged about the theft of squirrel conductor (a wire to supply electricity), it was an obligation of the appellant (BSES) to restore the supply after installation of new squirrel conductor as no consumer can be deprived of the energy for no fault of his," the Commission's President Justice J D Kapoor said in a recent order.
Dismissing an appeal of Brihanmumbai Suburban Electric Supply (BSES), the Commission held that the company was "deficient in service" in not providing the electricity to Inder Singh Gahlaut, having an agriculture land at village Mitraon here, for over eight months despite a complaint.
It also refused to buy the BSES's argument that Gahlaut had not adduced any documentary evidence to support his claim and that he himself had written to the company asking to disconnect his power supply in February, 2005, which was later energised in December that year.
Noting the claim did not hold water in view of the complainant being an agriculturist who required electricity for running his tube well to water the crops, the Commission said that the district forum was right in concluding Gahlaut suffered loss of crops due to the act of the company.
"It does not inspire confidence that respondent did not request for restoration of electricity for 7 or 8 months long, particularly in view of the nature of the electricity connection being agricultural," the Commission said.
It has now ordered the BSES to pay Gahlaut Rs 50,000, including the monetary relief towards the loss of crops and mental agony, within a month.
"Once the report was lodged about the theft of squirrel conductor (a wire to supply electricity), it was an obligation of the appellant (BSES) to restore the supply after installation of new squirrel conductor as no consumer can be deprived of the energy for no fault of his," the Commission's President Justice J D Kapoor said in a recent order.
Dismissing an appeal of Brihanmumbai Suburban Electric Supply (BSES), the Commission held that the company was "deficient in service" in not providing the electricity to Inder Singh Gahlaut, having an agriculture land at village Mitraon here, for over eight months despite a complaint.
It also refused to buy the BSES's argument that Gahlaut had not adduced any documentary evidence to support his claim and that he himself had written to the company asking to disconnect his power supply in February, 2005, which was later energised in December that year.
Noting the claim did not hold water in view of the complainant being an agriculturist who required electricity for running his tube well to water the crops, the Commission said that the district forum was right in concluding Gahlaut suffered loss of crops due to the act of the company.
"It does not inspire confidence that respondent did not request for restoration of electricity for 7 or 8 months long, particularly in view of the nature of the electricity connection being agricultural," the Commission said.
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It has now ordered the BSES to pay Gahlaut Rs 50,000, including the monetary relief towards the loss of crops and mental agony, within a month.
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