Consumer forum imposes fine of Rs 25,000 on UHBVN

Suman Bhatnagar

Ambala, July 30

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the UHBVN to pay a compensation of Rs 25,000 to a consumer for harassing him.

A resident of Sector 9, Rajinder Mehta, in his complaint had stated that the meter reader of HBVN informed him that his meter was running fast as compared to the average speed.

The complainant contacted the JE on June 18, 2012 who advised him to deposit a fee of Rs 200 for installation of a check meter. After waiting for a few days during which the meter was not installed he visited the office again. The JE installed a new meter instead of check meter and took the previous meter without packing it and taking the signatures of the complainant

When the complainant asked about the reading of the old meter, the JE told him that the reading will not be added in the new bill and the reading of the new meter will be charged.

After a few months, the department served him a notice and asked him to join the lab test of the meter. He was also forced to put his signatures on the packing of meter which was taken away from his house and asked to deposit Rs.16,998.55, the pending arrears of old meter.

The forum observed in its order “neither any check meter was installed on the premises of the complainant after depositing of challenge fees nor his removed meter has been tested in the M&T Lab till date. In view of the above, the allegations of harassment levelled by the complainant against JE Kulwant Singh are proved. It is further recommended to initiate disciplinary action against the JE.

The president of the forum, AK Sardana, directed the UHBVN to refund Rs16,998.55 illegally charged from the complainant. He further directed to pay Rs.10,000 to complainant for harassment and mental agony over 3 years The UHBVN was also asked to pay a sum of Rs.10,000 as punitive damages for committing unfair trade practice by not installing the check meter and also pay a sum of Rs.5,000 as litigation costs, including advocate’s fees.