HC issues notice to state govt

The petitioner has alleged that under the garb of sundry charges the government was trying to recover certain illegal charges for enhanced meter rent and enhanced security deposit. It was submitted that the government on its own ordered to install the electronic meters and for that no additional expense can be put on the consumers. The petitioner averred that the consumers who had already made sufficient security deposits cannot be burdened to bear the enhanced security deposit,which was illegal. It was submitted that security deposits are always taken by the electricity department with an objective that in case of any default on the part of the consumer in paying the bill then the electicity department can adjust the same from the security deposit.

The petition reads “There appeared to be no logic while raising the enhanced security deposit as by installation of new meters no new facility was being extended to the consumer”. It was submitted that increase in the rates of security deposits cannot be applied on the old consumers.