Thane power firm told to pay Rs 35,000 compensation for faulty bill

A consumer forum in Maharashtra's Thane district has ordered a power distributor to pay Rs. 35,000 for issuing an incorrect bill to a consumer in 2008 while observing the complainant is entitled to "reasonable compensation" for the "mental agony" caused by a deficiency in service. In its order dated October 7, the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, headed by SD Madake and comprising SZ Pawar as a member, directed the Torrent Power Limited to restore the snapped power supply to the flat of the complainant, Rajendra Jain, a resident of Kamatghar in Bhiwandi.

Consumer's complaint upheld

The forum upheld Jain's complaint that the company had issued him a bill dated April 19, 2008, mentioning the meter number which doesn't belong to him. Jain said that he was forced to take another flat on rent after the company disconnected his power supply.

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The power firm denied the allegations and contested the Rs. 3,30,000 claim raised by the complainant on several grounds. "The opponent (Torrent Power) is under an obligation to issue a notice prior to disconnecting the electricity supply of a consumer. The opponent simply stated that the supply was disconnectedlegally without stating whether the principles of natural justice were observed prior to disconnection. "We quantify the amount of compensation at Rs. 25,000 and the cost of Rs. 10,000 which has to be payable by Torrent PowerCo.Ltd," the forum noted. 

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