Order against MC engineers for issuing wrong water bill

Chief engineer of the Municipal Corporation and executive engineer of the Engineering Department at Sub Division 4 have been directed to adjust in future bills the excess amount charged by a resident for water consumption.

Chief engineer of the Municipal Corporation and executive engineer of the Engineering Department at Sub Division 4 have been directed to adjust in future bills the excess amount charged by a resident for water consumption.

Babu Ram,a resident of Mauli Jagran,alleged that he received a bill with charges exceeding consumption,payable in February 2010,against which he made complaints and visited the MC Engineering Department in Sector 18.

Later,he filed an application under the Right To Information Act,with the office,whereupon he was informed that commercial charges for water consumption had been levied on him,instead of domestic charges. He,however,claimed to have never used his house for any commercial activity.

The department stated that commercial tariff was imposed on the house of the complainant on the ground that it was being used for commercial activity,that is,as a shop.

The UT consumer forum ruled that the department had been unable to prove on record by placing any evidence to prove the contention.

Also,they never issued any notice to the complainant before charging him with commercial tariff with regard to his water consumption bills during the relevant period.

The forum,therefore,directed the engineers to work out the excess amount charged on account of commercial tariff and adjust in the future water consumption bills of the complainant. They were also directed to pay a compensation of Rs 5,000 along with litigation cost of Rs 4,000.

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