P.Balanna Gowd v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. By Its Principal

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE CHALLA KODANDA RAM WRIT PETITION No.10935 OF 2016 ORDER:

The case of the petitioner, as seen from the contents of the affidavit of the petitioner, is that he is the consumer in respect of service connection No.7521110000002 for power supply with contracted load of 1.120 kw and was paying the bills regularly to the respondents. While so, in the month of January, 2016, the respondents issued electricity bill-cum-notice dated 14.01.2016 demanding Rs.1,97,367/-. When the petitioner approached the 4th respondent complaining of such huge bill, the 4th respondent on 21.01.2016 had furnished him a copy of proceedings dated 12.02.2015 which shows due to short billing, the petitioner was liable to pay Rs.46477/- towards electricity charges and also the petitioner was directed to pay Rs.23239/- within seven days therefrom for continuation of power supply. Questioning the same, present writ petition is filed.

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing counsel for R.2 to R.4.

Admittedly, in the present case the petitioner has not submitted any representation to the respondents putting forth his grievance in receiving such a huge billing.

Considering the rival submissions of both sides and having gone through the material on record, it is directed that the petitioner shall submit his explanation/representation in reply to the provisional assessment notice dated 12.02.2015 allegedly made available to him on 21.01.2016 within two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and within four weeks thereafter necessary enquiry shall be conducted and completed by the respondents. Petitioner is entitled to raise all objections and the respondents shall bear in mind the fact that the petitioner is a domestic consumer and in normal

circumstances, huge demand of the nature would not have arisen especially in view of the fact that on month to month basis respondents are inspecting premises and billing the petitioner and the petitioner has been paying current consumption charges regularly.

However, since the petitioner is apprehending disconnection of power supply to his premises, subject to condition of petitioner depositing a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) before the respondents, it is directed that the respondents shall not disconnect power supply to the service connection bearing No.7521110000002 [B010000002 old number] belonging to the petitioner.

With above observations, the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in the Writ Petition shall stand closed.

____________________________ Justice Challa Kodanda Ram 22nd April, 2016.

Note : Issue C.C. in three days B/o.

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