Vijayagowri. V v. Superintending Engineer

1 W.P.(MD)NO.8536 OF 2024 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 04.04.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P.(MD)No.8536 of 2024 AND W.M.P.(MD)No.7766 of 2024 V.Vijaygowri, Proprietrix, Hotel Burma Kadai, Kallikudi, Madurai District.

... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Superintending Engineer, TANGEDCO, K.Pudur, Madurai.

2. The Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Thirumangalam, Madurai.

3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Thirumangalam, Madurai.

4. The Assistant Engineer, TANGEDCO, Kallikudi, Madurai District.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to dispose of the petitioner's objection dated 05.03.2024 by following due process and forbearing the fourth respondent from disconnecting S.C.No.1340081018 till such disposal. 1/4

2 W.P.(MD)NO.8536 OF 2024 For Petitioner : Mr.S.Anand Chandrasekar, for M/s.Sarvabhauman Associates.

For Respondents : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan, Standing counsel.

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O R D E R

Heard both sides.

2. The writ petitioner is a consumer of electricity. According to TANGEDCO, in view of the defect in the meter, there was short billing for the period from July 2022 to March 2023. The petitioner offered her objections. Regulation 11(7) of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code is as follows:- " In case the consumer does not agree with the assessment made by the Engineer or the higher-level officer as the case may be, the matter may be referred to the next higher-level officer of the licensee. In case the consumer is still not satisfied, the consumer is at liberty to approach the respective Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum of the licensee. "

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3 W.P.(MD)NO.8536 OF 2024

3. The petitioner has moved the higher legal officer, Executive Officer, TANGEDCO, Thirumangalam, Madurai. All that the petitioner wants is disposal of her objections as per the norms.

4. The second respondent is directed to consider the petitioner's objections and pass final order on merits and in accordance with law within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If the petitioner is still aggrieved, the petitioner will be at liberty to approach the jurisdictional Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum. The petitioner is given two weeks therefrom, if the occasion arose. No coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner for a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. This writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

04.04.2024 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No PMU 3/4

4 W.P.(MD)NO.8536 OF 2024 G.R.SWAMINATHAN,J.

PMU To:

1. The Superintending Engineer, TANGEDCO, K.Pudur, Madurai.

2. The Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Thirumangalam, Madurai.

3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Thirumangalam, Madurai.

4. The Assistant Engineer, TANGEDCO, Kallikudi, Madurai District.

W.P.(MD)No.8536 of 2024 04.04.2024 4/4