Tamil Nadu electricity ombudsman ask tangedco to pay money after complaint from consumer
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Chennai: Based on a complaint from a consumer, the Tamil Nadu electricity ombudsman (TNEO) has asked Tangedco to pay interest while refunding excess security deposit (SD) collected from users. It also directed the Chennai south circle office to ensure functioning of collection centres during scheduled working hours. Consumer D. Tamizhmani of Anna Nagar West had filed a plea with the assistant executive engineer of Ramapuram for refund of the excess SD of Rs 4,505 along with interest of Rs 602 available in his service connection, against the required deposit of Rs 2,186 on September 7, 2013 and again on December 21, 2013.
As there was no response to his letters and visit to St Thomas Mount office, he filed a petition before the consumer grievance redressal forum (CGRF) on September 30, 2014. However, the CGRF of Chennai electricity distribution circle, south, ordered that the request of the consumer for refund of excess SD will be considered only during SD review for 2015-16 — that is, after April — without specifying any rule or regulation.
When the consumer approached the electricity ombudsman against the CGRF order on January 19, 2015, the excess SD of Rs 4,505 alone was refunded on March 2, 2015 without the interest amount of Rs 602. Besides, there was no indication in the covering letter why the interest was not refunded. In the order, TNEO A. Dharmaraj noted that there was a delay of one-and-a-half years in refunding the excess SD after the claim was made by the consumer. Pointing to the regulation of the supply code, he said the excess SD has to be refunded within three billing cycles: that is, within six months. The excess SD available should be adjusted in two future demands of current consumption and the balance amount, if any, shall be made by cheque before the due date of payment for the third demand, he explained.
As far as refunding of interest is concerned, he said as the interest amount of Rs 602 includes the interest for Rs 2,186, the required security deposit amount. Hence, he rejected the claim for refund of full amount of interest, but ordered Tangedco to pay the interest for excess SD of Rs 4,505. On consumer Tamizhmani’s complaint about early closure of collection counter and rude behaviour of field staff towards consumers, the ombudsman directed the superintendent engineer (SE) of Chennai EDC, south, to issue detailed instructions to all section officers under his control to ensure collection of consumption charges and other charges during the scheduled working hours. He also asked the SE to advise the collection centre staff and field staff to be consumer-friendly and attend to consumer needs promptly.
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