Rs 27K bill slapped when even power wasn’t used!

ACTION Bill declared null and void by consumer forum

LUCKNOW: The consumer redressal forum has struck down a Rs 27,484 bill slapped by the LESA on a consumer who never received a single unit of power. Her only fault was that she applied for a connection!

LUCKNOW: The consumer redressal forum has struck down a Rs 27,484 bill slapped by the Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) on a consumer who never received a single unit of power. Her only fault was that she applied for a connection!

Waheed-ul, 54, a resident of Bhamrauli here, had deposited some money for the power connection three years back on July 22, 2014.

But she and her husband weren’t given any connection because the department didn’t have wire to give connection. The couple was made to run from pillar to post for the connection.

Meanwhile, the LESA issued them a bill of Rs 27,484 for minimum power charges.

Waheed-ul took up the matter with higher officials who directed her to deposit the money.

She then approached the consumer redressal forum, which summoned LESA officials. The forum gave them eight opportunities to explain their case, but they were unable to explain the bill of Rs 27,484.

The officials said Waheed-ul could not be given power connection as LESA didn’t have wires. The forum took serious note of that and directed the LESA not to charge anything from the consumer and stop issuing bills to those residents who were yet to receive proper power supply. The bill was declared null and void by the forum.

THE COMPLAINANT WAS NOT GIVEN ANY SUPPLY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WIRE TO GIVE POWER CONNECTION