Forum provides relief to electricity consumer

Ahmedabad, May 15 (UNI) The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (CDRF) at Anand has provided relief to an electricity consumer by refraining the Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited (MGVCL) from collecting a whopping fine from him till the disposal of the case.

The Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Ahmedabad, had filed the case with the Forum on behalf of Dilip Patel.

The Forum had also directed the MGVCL not to disconnect the consumer's power supply.

Mr Patel had lodged a complaint with the Forum, saying the MGVCL staff had approached him for replacing his old electricity meter with a new electronic one in April last year.

The old meter was sealed and packed for further testing at the MGVCL laboratory. However, the MGVCL staff deliberately delayed the matter with malafide intentions. The seal of the meter was broken and the consumer was accused of electricity theft.

The MGVCL demanded Rs 865,960 from the consumer and disconnected his power supply.

Mr Patel had no option but to agree to pay the fine in four installments of Rs 216,490 each. He paid the first installment and the power supply was restored.

Subsequently, Mr Patel approached the CERS which took up his matter with the CDRF.

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