Rs 82,000 jolt to consumer for snap power request

Bhopal: Moti Rawat, a resident of Morena, was serving jail term, when his borewell 5HP motor running on electricity was stolen and boring was closed with a stone. He wrote to MP Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Limited from the jail on December 22, 2005 to bring the issue to its notice. On June 16, 2008, he urged the company to disconnect power connection. Instead, in May 2011, a bill of Rs 82,079, including outstanding amount was slapped on him.
On Monday, Madhya Pradesh State Consumer Dispute Redresal Commission slammed the company and quashed the bill.
Rawat was sent to the jail under section 302 of IPC. His borwell motor was stolen and the connection was stopped by putting stones. He wrote an application through jailer Sambhalgarh to the power company for giving information and thereafter for disconnection in 2008.
Officials from the power company said, “Rawat gave the application for disconnection in 2008, which was forwarded to seniors but they did not give any approval and the bill was sent.”
However, they denied any deficiency in service. In their order, Justice Rakesh Saksena and Neerja Singh, expert member said, “As the letter was sent from the jail, it showed consumer was in jail and had not used the power supply. His borewell was closed with stone as per report of a lineman and no power was being used.”
Going by rules, company has to disconnect power by last date of the month. Hence, it should have been done, said the court, even if the approval came late.
The company asked to recover Rs 43,451 from Rawat from 2006-2008. The company was asked to pay Rs 7,000 as compensation and Rs 3,000 for litigation cost