Restore power supply to shops,utility told

In 2009,the MSEDCL installed a new metre in Sayyed’s shops,in one of which he sells aquariums. In January 2009,he received a bill of Rs 34,000 followed by Rs 70,884 in February and Rs 1.02 lakh in March.

“I didn’t pay any of these bills,and received another bill of Rs 39,787 in April,” said Sayyed.

“Being a shop that sells aquariums,my electricity consumption is only for the tube lights and a couple of motors. On an average,my monthly bill amounts to Rs 1,200-Rs 1,500,” Sayyed said.

After having received faulty bills for four consecutive months,Sayyed tried visiting the MSEDCL officials,but in vain. He finally approached Grahak Hitvardhini –the consumer rights’ organisation and decided to move the consumer court in November 2009.

Sayyed’s counsel DG Sant argued that it was illegal to cut electricity supply without following the mandatory one-month notice period.

The court accepted his argument and ordered the MSEDCL to restore the power supply. “While the supply was restored on February 13,I had to shut my shop for 16 days,” Sayyed said.

The interim order mentioned that disconnecting power supply without giving prior notice as mentioned in a Electricity Act is deficiency of service. “The hearing of this case is over and the final judgement is expected in a week,” Sant said.