The apex consumer forum has absolved BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd from paying Rs 50,000 to Consumer Welfare Fund in an electricity meter dispute case, saying it "is also a government undertaking".
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), presided by Justice K S Chaudhari, passed the order on a revision petition filed by the discom against an order passed by the Delhi state consumer commission.
In its order, the state commission had directed the discom to reinstall electrical meter, which it had removed, and restore electricity supply to the residence of Praveen Kumar.
It had also directed the discom to pay Rs 15,000 as compensation to Kumar for harassment and cost of litigation.
Besides this, the state commission had directed BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd to deposit Rs 50,000 as punitive damages in the Consumer Welfare Fund.
In its petition before NCDRC, the discom stated that it has agreed with the state commission's direction to install electricity meter and connection at Kumar's residence and pay Rs 15,000 to him.
It, however, clarified that revision petition was filed seeking setting aside of the state commission's direction to pay Rs 50,000 as punitive damages in Consumer Welfare Fund.
"No doubt, respondent (Kumar) has suffered for a long period, but as petitioner (discom) is ready to restore connection, it would be appropriate to set aside direction of depositing Rs 50,000 with Consumer Welfare Fund because petitioner is also a government undertaking," the NCDRC said.
Earlier, Kumar had told the district consumer forum that in April 2006, he had filed a complaint with discom regarding sparking in the electricity meter's terminal.
The meter was removed by discom with an assurance that a new meter would by installed but it was not done and rather it demanded Rs 50,000 as illegal gratification and threatened to implicate complainant in electricity theft case, Kumar had alleged.
The firm, however, had opposed Kumar's complaint before the fourm, claiming deficiency on his part.
The district forum had dismissed Kumar's complaint and, thereafter, he had approached the state consumer commission.
