Madras High CourtWP/14262/2018disposed of

Sonal Irons Industry (P) Ltd., v. The Chairman,

2018-06-13Honourable Mr Justice T.Raja3 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 13.06.2018

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.RAJA W.P.No.14262 of 2018 Sonal Irons Industry (P) Ltd/HT SC No.535 Kotha Jogur Village Komaranapallai Panchayat Denkanikottai Taluk, Hosur rep.by its Authorized Signatory Muniraj ..

Petitioner -vs1. The Chairman Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited 144, Anna Salai Chennai 600 002

2. The Superintending Engineer TANGEDCO Krishnagiri Electricity Distribution Circle Krishnagiri ..

Respondents Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issue of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to permit the petitioner to pay Rs.59,02,936/- alone towards the Additional Security Deposit in 5 equal monthly installments along with the regular current consumption charges. For Petitioner ::

Mr.R.S.Pandiyaraj For Respondents ::

Mr.M.Varunkumar Standing Counsel

ORDER

The petitioner is manufacturing yarn products and giving employment opportunities to several hundreds of rural people and

they are having HT service connection bearing No.288 under the jurisdiction of the second respondent herein. They have been already maintaining the Current Consumption Deposit of Rs.2,19,28,806/-. As per Regulation 5(5)(ii)(a) of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code 2004, the Current Consumption Deposit should be two times of the average electricity charges for the preceding 12 months prior to April for the monthly billed consumers like the petitioner. While so, the second respondent has sought for payment of Additional Current Consumption Deposit of Rs.88,54,404/- over and above the existing deposit of Rs.2,19,28,806/- in a lump sum from the petitioner, failing which to face disconnection. When the proceeding dated 20.4.

2018 was issued by the Superintending Engineer, Krishnagiri Electricity Distribution Circle to the petitioner claiming Rs.88,54,404/-, they have permitted the petitioner to pay the said deposit in three equated monthly installments on 20.5.2018, 20.6.2018 & 20.7.2018. Accordingly, the petitioner has also paid the first installment. Since this Court, while considering a similar prayer in W.P.No.10773 of 2018 by order dated 26.4.2018, has permitted the petitioner therein to pay the Additional Current Consumption Deposit in six installments, the learned counsel sought for a similar benefit to be extended to the petitioner in this case also for payment of the balance sum of Rs.59,02,936/- in five equated monthly installments.

2. Mr.M.Varunkumar, learned standing counsel for the respondents submitted that after the petitioner approached the respondents expressing their difficulty in paying the Additional Current Consumption Deposit of Rs.88,54,404/- over and above the existing deposit, as per the Regulation 5(5)(ii)(a) of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code 2004, considering the difficulty faced by them, they were permitted to pay the Additional Current Consumption Deposit in three installments as mentioned in the proceeding dated 20.4.2018. However, after making the first installment, they have come to this Court.

3. It is true that the petitioner was permitted to pay the Additional Current Consumption Deposit of Rs.88,54,404/- in three installments and out of the three installments, the petitioner had also paid the first installment on 20.5.2018. When this Court in similar circumstances had permitted the industries like the petitioner to pay the Additional Current Consumption Deposit in six installments, following the order passed in W.P.No.10773 of 2018 dated 26.4.2018, this Court directs the petitioner herein to deposit the balance Additional Current Consumption Deposit of Rs.59,02,936/- in five equated installments on 20.6.2018, 20.7.2018, 20.8.2018, 20.9.2018 & 20.10.2018, apart from the regular current consumption charges. It is made clear that if the petitioner commits any default in

making the deposit, the respondents are at liberty to take appropriate action in accordance with law. With this direction, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS IX) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar ss To

1. The Chairman Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited 144, Anna Salai Chennai 600 002

2. The Superintending Engineer TANGEDCO Krishnagiri Electricity Distribution Circle Krishnagiri +1cc to Mr.R.S.Pandiyaraj, Advocate Sr.No.37219 sm:19.6.2018 W.P.No.14262 of 2018 1/2