{"id":61245,"date":"2009-10-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2009-10-08T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalindia.com\/judgments\/jose-francis-vs-kerala-state-electricity-board-on-9-october-2009"},"modified":"2017-06-30T11:53:46","modified_gmt":"2017-06-30T06:23:46","slug":"jose-francis-vs-kerala-state-electricity-board-on-9-october-2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalindia.com\/judgments\/jose-francis-vs-kerala-state-electricity-board-on-9-october-2009","title":{"rendered":"Jose Francis vs Kerala State Electricity Board on 9 October, 2009"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"docsource_main\">Kerala High Court<\/div>\n<div class=\"doc_title\">Jose Francis vs Kerala State Electricity Board on 9 October, 2009<\/div>\n<pre>       \n\n  \n\n  \n\n \n \n  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM\n\nWP(C).No. 10122 of 2009(I)\n\n\n1. JOSE FRANCIS, DIRECTOR,\n                      ...  Petitioner\n\n                        Vs\n\n\n\n1. KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD,\n                       ...       Respondent\n\n2. THE CONSUMER GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL FORUM,\n\n3. THE ASSISTANT ENGINEER, KERALA STATE\n\n4. KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY REGULATORY\n\n                For Petitioner  :SRI.KKM.SHERIF\n\n                For Respondent  :SMT.SREEDEVI KYLASANATH,SC,KSER COMMN.\n\nThe Hon'ble MR. Justice S.SIRI JAGAN\n\n Dated :09\/10\/2009\n\n O R D E R\n                               S.SIRI JAGAN, J.\n                       ==================\n                   W.P(C).Nos.10122 &amp; 10896 of 2009\n                       ==================\n                 Dated this the 9th day of October, 2009\n                               J U D G M E N T\n<\/pre>\n<p>        In W.P.(C).No.10122\/2009 the petitioner is aggrieved by re-<\/p>\n<p>classification of their electricity connection for the purpose of payment<\/p>\n<p>of electricity charges from LT IV to LT VIIA tariff. The petitioner in W.P.<\/p>\n<p>(C).No. 10896\/2009 is aggrieved by similar re-classification from LT<\/p>\n<p>VIA to LT VIIA. According to the petitioners, under Regulation 7 of the<\/p>\n<p>Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Consumer Grievance<\/p>\n<p>Redressal Forum and Electricity Ombudsman), Regulations, 2005, a<\/p>\n<p>consumer has a right to approach the Consumer Grievance Redresssal<\/p>\n<p>Forum against tariff classification. But they are prevented from<\/p>\n<p>approaching the Forum in view of Ext.P6 order [in W.P.(C).<\/p>\n<p>No.10122\/09 which is Ext.P9 in the other writ petition] of the<\/p>\n<p>Electricity Board, by which, the Electricity Board directed the Forum<\/p>\n<p>not to entertain any appeal regarding change of tariff and also to<\/p>\n<p>forward orders issued by the Forum to the office of the Chief Engineer<\/p>\n<p>(Commercial and Tariff) and to the Law Section of the Board<\/p>\n<p>Secretariat in order to have a close monitoring of the Forum. The<\/p>\n<p>petitioners are challenging that order of the Board along with<\/p>\n<p>challenge against the re-classification itself. According to the<\/p>\n<p>petitioners, the Forum is expected to function as an independent<\/p>\n<p>statutory quasi-judicial body. Therefore, the Forum is not expected to<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\">W.P.C.10122\/09 &amp; CC                 2<\/span><\/p>\n<p>function as per the instructions of the Board, but only as an<\/p>\n<p>independent adjudicatory body. Therefore, the Board is incompetent to<\/p>\n<p>issue the order impugned directing the Forum not to entertain any<\/p>\n<p>appeal regarding change of tariff.\n<\/p>\n<p>      2.     The learned Standing Counsel for the Board would contend<\/p>\n<p>that under Section 42(6)(5) of the Electricity Act, 2003, it is for the<\/p>\n<p>Board to establish the Forum for redressal of the grievance of the<\/p>\n<p>consumers in accordance with the guidelines as may be specified by<\/p>\n<p>the State Commission and, therefore, the Board has powers to issue<\/p>\n<p>direction to the Forum in the nature of Ext.P6 in W.P.(C).No.<\/p>\n<p>10122\/09.\n<\/p>\n<p>      3.     I have considered the rival contentions in detail.<\/p>\n<p>      4.     I am of opinion that the argument of the Kerala Electricity<\/p>\n<p>Board is counter productive. The very object of establishing a Forum<\/p>\n<p>for redressal of the grievance of the consumers against the licensee is<\/p>\n<p>to hear complaints against the licensee. If the Board is permitted to<\/p>\n<p>issue directions to the Forum as to how the Forum should consider<\/p>\n<p>complaints filed before it, then it is better that there be no Forum at<\/p>\n<p>all, since the Forum would not be in a position to adjudicate the<\/p>\n<p>complaint filed by a consumer against the Board independently, if the<\/p>\n<p>Forum is bound by the directions of the Board in any manner. Simply<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\">W.P.C.10122\/09 &amp; CC                    3<\/span><\/p>\n<p>because the Board established the Forum that does not mean that the<\/p>\n<p>Forum is under their control regarding the statutory functions of the<\/p>\n<p>Forum. When the Forum is created as an independent arbitrator as<\/p>\n<p>between the consumer and the licensee, the Forum should be free<\/p>\n<p>from any kind of influence from anybody particularly the Board. If<\/p>\n<p>there is any such constraints on the Forum,            it would not be an<\/p>\n<p>independent arbitrator at all. In fact the courts in Kerala are<\/p>\n<p>established by the Government of Kerala. That does not mean that the<\/p>\n<p>Government of Kerala has control over the judicial functions of the<\/p>\n<p>judicial officers of the State manning the courts. Likewise, the Forum<\/p>\n<p>established by the Board is not under the control of the Board at all.<\/p>\n<p>That being so, the Board has absolutely no power whatsoever to issue<\/p>\n<p>an order in the nature of Ext.P6. In fact in the counter affidavit<\/p>\n<p>submitted by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission, they<\/p>\n<p>also rightly subscribe to the same view. In their counter affidavit the<\/p>\n<p>Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission has stated thus:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>              &#8220;4.   It is respectfully submitted that, Complaints regarding<br \/>\n      change of tariff made by field officers of KSEB without considering the<br \/>\n      classification\/categorisation declared   by  this respondent   can    be<br \/>\n      entertained by CGRF. Inclusion of particular types of consumers in<br \/>\n      particular categories are done by Regulatory Commission after hearing<br \/>\n      public responses in a transparent process. However, KSEB has no<br \/>\n      authority to issue such an order to the CGRF.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>              5.    It is submitted that, Sec. 42(5) of the Electricity Act<br \/>\n      provides for establishment of a forum for redressal of grievances of the<br \/>\n      consumers in accordance with the guidelines as specified by the State<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\">W.P.C.10122\/09 &amp; CC                    4<\/span><\/p>\n<p>      Commission. Sec.42(6) any consumer aggrieved by the non-redressal of<br \/>\n      grievances under sub sec. (5) may approach the Ombudsman. In<br \/>\n      exercise of power conferred under Sec.181 (1), 2(r), (s) &amp; (zp) of<br \/>\n      Electricity Act, 2003, Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission<br \/>\n      framed &#8220;The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Consumer<br \/>\n      Grievance Redresal Forum and Electricity Ombudsman) Regulations, 2005<br \/>\n      taking into account the need for safeguarding the right and interest of<br \/>\n      consumers. Regulation 7 of it deals with the kinds of grievances that can<br \/>\n      be taken up by the Forum. The Forum shall take up any kind of<br \/>\n      grievances\/complaints as defined in Regulation 2(1)(f). 2(1)(f)(III)<br \/>\n      empowers the CGRF to entertain complaint regarding charging of a price<br \/>\n      in excess of the price fixed by the Commission for supply of electricity<br \/>\n      and allied service. Regulation 2(f)(VII) empowers the CGRF to entertain<br \/>\n      any other grievance connected with the use of electricity by the licensee<br \/>\n      except relating to unauthorised use of electricity as provided under<br \/>\n      Sec.126 of the Act, offences and penalties as provided under sec. 135 to<br \/>\n      139 of the Act, and accident in the distribution, supply of use of electricity<br \/>\n      under sec. 161 of the Act. Hence CGRF can entertain petitioner&#8217;s<br \/>\n      grievances.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>             6.    It is submitted that, CGRF being a statutory independent<br \/>\n      body established under Sec.42(5) of the Electricity Act, all the individual<br \/>\n      grievances of consumers have to be raised before this Forum only. KSEB<br \/>\n      has no authority to issue orders directing CGRF not to entertain any<br \/>\n      consumers&#8217; grievances regarding change of tariff made by the field<br \/>\n      officers with out considering the classification\/categorisation declared by<br \/>\n      KSERC. The Hon&#8217;ble Supreme Court in <a href=\"\/doc\/464821\/\">Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory<br \/>\n      Commission v. Reliance Energy Ltd.,<\/a> (2007) 8 SCC 381 held &#8220;A complete<br \/>\n      machinery has been provided in Sec. 42(5) and 42(6) of the Electricity<br \/>\n      Act, 2003 for redressal of grievances of individual consumers, the<br \/>\n      consumers can only resort to these bodies for redressal of their<br \/>\n      grievances.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>      5.     Under Regulation 7 of the Kerala State Electricity<\/p>\n<p>Regulatory Commission (Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and<\/p>\n<p>Electricity Ombudsman) Regulations, 2005, the Forum shall take up<\/p>\n<p>any types of grievances\/complaints as defined in Regulation 2(1)(f).<\/p>\n<p>Regulation 2(1)(f) reads thus:\n<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>             &#8216;2. Definitions.- (1) in these regulations, unless the context<br \/>\n      otherwise requires,-\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\">W.P.C.10122\/09 &amp; CC                       5<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>                             xxx                  xxx                 xxx<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>   (f) &#8220;Complaint&#8221; means any grievance made by a complainant in writing on:-\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>       (i)    defect or deficiency in electricity service provided by the licensee;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>       (ii)   unfair or restrictive trade practices of licensee in providing<br \/>\n              electricity services;\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>       (iii)  charging of a price in excess of the price fixed by the Commission<br \/>\n              for supply of electricity and allied services;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>       (iv)   errors in billing;\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>       (v)    erroneous disconnection of supply;\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>       (vi)   electricity services which are unsafe or hazardous to public life in<br \/>\n              contravention of the provisions of any law or rule in force; or<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>       (viii) any other grievance connected with the supply of electricity by the<br \/>\n              licensee except those related to the following:-<\/p>\n<p>             (1)     unauthorised use of electricity as provided under Section<br \/>\n                     126 of the Act;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>             (2)     offences and penalties as provided under Sections 135 to<br \/>\n                     139 of the Act; and<\/p>\n<p>             (3)     accident in the distribution, supply or use of electricity<br \/>\n                     under Section 161 of the Act.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>As per sub clause (iii) thereof, &#8220;charging of a price in excess of the<\/p>\n<p>price fixed by the Commission for supply of electricity and allied<\/p>\n<p>services&#8221; is a grievance which can be raised before the Forum. The<\/p>\n<p>Commission has fixed the price for supply of electricity as per the<\/p>\n<p>schedule of the tariff for retail supply. When the Board changes the<\/p>\n<p>tariff applicable to a consumer, it amounts to charging of a price in<\/p>\n<p>excess of the price fixed by the Commission for supply of electricity.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\">W.P.C.10122\/09 &amp; CC                6<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Therefore, change of tariff is a grievance which can be raised by a<\/p>\n<p>consumer before the Forum. Therefore, on merits also, Ext.P9 is<\/p>\n<p>unsustainable.\n<\/p>\n<p>      6.     In any event, if the Board has a contention that the<\/p>\n<p>complaint is not maintainable before the Forum, it is for the Board to<\/p>\n<p>urge that contention before the Forum and it is for the Forum to<\/p>\n<p>consider such contention in accordance with law and the Board cannot<\/p>\n<p>pass an order like Ext.P9 pre-empting the Forum from considering that<\/p>\n<p>issue. When a consumer approaches the Forum with a grievance, it is<\/p>\n<p>for the Forum to decide the question of jurisdiction also in the first<\/p>\n<p>instance, subject of course to scrutiny of the decision of the Forum by<\/p>\n<p>higher fora.\n<\/p>\n<p>      7.     In the above circumstances, I do not have any doubt in<\/p>\n<p>my mind that Ext.P6 in W.P.(C).No. 10122\/2009, which is Ext.P9 in the<\/p>\n<p>other writ petition, is without jurisdiction and liable to be quashed.<\/p>\n<p>Accordingly, the impugned orders are quashed. I further hold that the<\/p>\n<p>Kerala State Electricity Board is not entitled to issue any directions to<\/p>\n<p>the Forum in the matter exercise of their quasi-judicial functions. The<\/p>\n<p>Forum is statutorily bound to exercise their functions uninfluenced by<\/p>\n<p>any such directions and shall decide complaints before it independently<\/p>\n<p>like any other quasi-judicial body.\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hidden_text\">W.P.C.10122\/09 &amp; CC                 7<\/span><\/p>\n<p>      8.     Now that Ext.P6 in W.P.(C).No.10122\/2006, which is<\/p>\n<p>Ext.P9 in the other writ petition, has been quashed, there is no<\/p>\n<p>impediment for the petitioners to approach the Forum. Accordingly, in<\/p>\n<p>both cases if the complaints filed by the petitioners have been either<\/p>\n<p>closed or refused to be accepted, the petitioners shall re-submit those<\/p>\n<p>complaints before the Forum within two weeks. The Forum shall accept<\/p>\n<p>the complaints as filed within time and dispose of the same in<\/p>\n<p>accordance with law. To enable the petitioners to approach the Forum<\/p>\n<p>and seek interim orders in the matter, I direct that the interim orders<\/p>\n<p>passed by this Court in these two writ petitions shall continue to be in<\/p>\n<p>force for a period of another one month.\n<\/p>\n<p>      The writ petitions are disposed of as above.\n<\/p>\n<p>                                                       Sd\/-\n<\/p>\n<pre>sdk+                                            S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE\n\n          \/\/\/True copy\/\/\/\n\n\n\n\n                              P.A. to Judge\n\n<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kerala High Court Jose Francis vs Kerala State Electricity Board on 9 October, 2009 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM WP(C).No. 10122 of 2009(I) 1. JOSE FRANCIS, DIRECTOR, &#8230; Petitioner Vs 1. KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, &#8230; Respondent 2. THE CONSUMER GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL FORUM, 3. THE ASSISTANT ENGINEER, KERALA STATE 4. KERALA STATE [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-high-court","category-kerala-high-court"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Jose Francis vs Kerala State Electricity Board on 9 October, 2009 - Free Judgements of Supreme Court &amp; High Court | Legal India<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalindia.com\/judgments\/jose-francis-vs-kerala-state-electricity-board-on-9-october-2009\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Jose Francis vs Kerala State Electricity Board on 9 October, 2009 - Free Judgements of Supreme Court &amp; 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