Power distribution company cannot overcharge: Consumer court
The Delhi Consumer Commission has taken a power distribution company to task for sending an inflated bill to a consumer whose complaint on his meter running fast was allegedly brushed aside on the pretext that it was within permissible limits.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Consumer Commission has taken a power distribution company to task for sending an inflated bill to a consumer whose complaint on his meter running fast was allegedly brushed aside on the pretext that it was within permissible limits.
The power company cannot take double advantage. On the one hand, they claim that the meter was not defective as it was running fast within the permissible limit of three per cent, while on the other, it puts the consumer to recurring losses by paying more than the actual bill, Justice J D Kapoor, Commission President said.
Holding such conduct of power distribution company as unfair trade practice and against the interest of consumers, the Commission decried their practice of replacing the meter immediately in case it is found to be running slow.
"So far as correct meter is concerned, it only gives a choice to the licensee to replace it or rectify the defect and if the licensee chooses not to do either, it has to raise a bill by reducing proportionately as to the fast-running of the meter," Kapoor said.
The Commission directed the NDPL to revise bill of Sudesh Kohli, a resident of Inderpuri here. His electro-magnetic meter was replaced by an electronic one on October 12, 2004.
Despite several complaints with the company for charging the bills as per the actual reading, he was asked to pay bills on the basis of reading of the meter, which was running fast, he alleged.
The power company cannot take double advantage. On the one hand, they claim that the meter was not defective as it was running fast within the permissible limit of three per cent, while on the other, it puts the consumer to recurring losses by paying more than the actual bill, Justice J D Kapoor, Commission President said.
Holding such conduct of power distribution company as unfair trade practice and against the interest of consumers, the Commission decried their practice of replacing the meter immediately in case it is found to be running slow.
"So far as correct meter is concerned, it only gives a choice to the licensee to replace it or rectify the defect and if the licensee chooses not to do either, it has to raise a bill by reducing proportionately as to the fast-running of the meter," Kapoor said.
The Commission directed the NDPL to revise bill of Sudesh Kohli, a resident of Inderpuri here. His electro-magnetic meter was replaced by an electronic one on October 12, 2004.
Despite several complaints with the company for charging the bills as per the actual reading, he was asked to pay bills on the basis of reading of the meter, which was running fast, he alleged.
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