COURTS

PSEB demand against dead meter quashed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 2
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has quashed the demand of Rs 32,256 raised by the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) against a local atta chakki owner on account of power meter remaining dead for almost two-and-a-half year from August 1994 to March 1997.

In addition to the demand raised as average charges and arrears, the PSEB had also slapped another Rs 1440 as monthly rent for the meter during the period it reportedly remained dead. The consumer, Mr Amandeep Singh, a resident of Mohar Singh Nagar, having a small power (SP) connection, challenged the demand notice of the PSEB before the forum.

The PSEB authorities had maintained that the demand for the period during which the meter remained dead was raised on the basis of average consumption during four preceding months. To support the charge that the meter, installed on the premises of the consumer, was dead during the claimed period, the PSEB produced a report of the meter reader from January 1995 to March 1997. The PSEB authorities, however, failed to provide basis on which the calculation of monthly charges was made and whether actual consumption of the consumer was taken into account.

In his order, the presiding officer of the forum, Mr Hardial Singh, termed the demand on account of the meter remaining dead for such a long period as illegal, and hence untenable. The forum ordered the PSEB to refund the amount of disputed demand of Rs 32,256 along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent from the date of deposit till the refund and further desired compliance of the orders within one month of the receipt of these orders.

ADMINISTRATION

MC sanitation drive continues
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 2
Led by the area councillor of ward No. 60, Mr Rajesh Jain, residents of several localities participated in the ongoing sanitation drive of the Municipal Corporation at a function here today. Mr Surinder Dawar, Congress legislator, was the chief guest and the MC Assistant Commissioner, Mr O.A.K. Sondhi, inaugurated the campaign.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sondhi made an appeal to the residents to keep their surroundings clean to avoid diseases which were prevalent in the rainy season. Mr Dawar, in his brief address, asked the people to follow preventive measures against water-borne diseases and to lend a hand to the civic body in improvement in sanitation level of the city.

Mr Jain urged the people not to throw domestic waste and garbage in the streets and to use dustbins and garbage containers provided for this purpose. He fervently asked the people to desist from throwing plastic and polythene carry bags in streets and drains since the sewerlines were choked due to such non-biodegradable material.

Prominent among others present at the function were Mr Sat Pal Beri, Mr Chanchal Singh, Mr Hans Raj and Mr Kailash Kapoor, all councillors, Mr Ashwani Sahota, Chief Sanitary Inspector, Mr Jagjit Singh, Mr Amar Jain, Mr Sanjeev Kumar, Mr Surinder Jain, Mr Ashok Sama, Mr Ajay Gupta, Mr Sri Pal Jain, Mr Mohinder Saini, Ms Raj Rani, Mr Bharat Jain, Mr Anil Jain, Mr Ashok Milap and Mr Sheru Malhotra.