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Kupwara Consumer Commission Orders Power Department to Pay Rs. 1,00,000 Compensation for Issuing Frivolous Electricity Bill
Apoorva Pandita
9 April 2024 3:30 PM GMT
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kupwara, Kashmir, recently allowed a complaint filed against Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (Power Department), imposing a significant fine of one lakh rupees. The complaint was filed by one Mohammad Aslam Sheikh, a resident of Kuligam, who found himself unjustly billed for electricity usage despite not being a...
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kupwara, Kashmir, recently allowed a complaint filed against Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (Power Department), imposing a significant fine of one lakh rupees. The complaint was filed by one Mohammad Aslam Sheikh, a resident of Kuligam, who found himself unjustly billed for electricity usage despite not being a registered consumer. The commission, presided over by Mr. Peerzada Qousar Hussain and Ms. Nyla Yaseen, found that the billing was indeed erroneous and caused undue financial strain and mental distress to the complainant.
Brief Facts
Mohammad Aslam Sheikh, a resident of a remote area in Kupwara District filed a complaint on 3rd October 2023. He claimed that despite not using electricity, he received a bill of Rupees 49,578/- from the electricity department in the name of someone else, namely “Mohammad Aslam Katari”. Aslam had dismantled his old house and was living with his relatives while trying to build a new one. He was surprised about being listed as a consumer by the department even when he was not living there.
The complainant also approached various officials of the department in an effort to rectify the situation, but the department insisted on payment. Aslam's mother, fearing repercussions, even paid Rs. 2600/- towards the bill. He even produced three witnesses, who all made statements and gave in writing in favor of the aggrieved party.
Observation of the Commission
The Commission observed that the complainant, Mohammad Aslam Sheikh, had been wrongly billed by the Power department for an amount not pertaining to his usage, despite his attempts to rectify the issue. Further, the Commission found that the department's negligence in generating the electricity bill in the wrong name and pressuring the complainant to pay for it amounted to deficiency in service.
Consequently, the Commission directed the concerned officials of the department (KPDCL) to refund the erroneously deposited amount of Rs. 2600/- and further ordered compensation of Rs. 1,00,000/- to be paid to the complainant within six weeks, failing which the compensation amount shall carry simple interest @6% from the date of order. Additionally, the department was instructed to re-register the complainant as a consumer and adhere strictly to prescribed procedures for any future billing.
Case Title: Mohammad Aslam Sheikh vs. AEE, Kupwara KPDCL & Ors.
