IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC TUESDAY, THE 16TH FEBRUARY 2010 / 27TH MAGHA 1931 WP(C).No. 4932 of 2010(N) ------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- V.N.ACHUTHA KURUP, LEKSHMI, 40/5013, HIGH COURT ROAD, KOCHI-31 (CONSUMER NO.40/392/D METER NO.53269). BY ADV. SRI.B.S.SWATHY KUMAR SRI.BINDU SREEKUMAR RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, KERALA WATER AUTHORITY, P.H.DIVISION, PALLIMUKKU, ERNAKULAM. 2. THE ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, KERALA WATER AUTHORITY, W.W.SUB DIVISION, PALLIMUKKU, ERNAKULAM. 3. KERALA WATER AUTHORITY, JALA BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. SC FOR KWA SRI. M. DINESH THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 16/02/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. -------------------------------------------------- W.P.(C) NO.4932 OF 2010 (N) -------------------------------------------------- Dated this the 16th day of February, 2010 J U D G M E N T Petitioner is a consumer of water supplied by the respondents with consumer No.40/392/D. According to the petitioner, apart from himself and his wife there is nobody else in the house and therefore the consumption of the water is minimal. It is stated that, despite this, due to the fact that the meter went out of order long ago bills have been issued adopting an unrealistic average, which action according to the petitioner is illegal. In these circumstances petitioner has made various complaints before the respondents requesting for reduction in the bill amount, for replacing the meter and also for revision of bills. However, according to the petitioner, respondents have intimated that unless he pays the amount that was already demanded, the meter will not be replaced. Last of such communication received by the petitioner is Ext.P13. It is aggrieved by the above that the writ petition is filed. 2. If as stated by the petitioner the meter is faulty, it is for the respondents to take necessary action to redress the grievance WPC.No. 4932/2010 :2 : raised by the petitioner. 3. Having regard to the pendency of the representations filed before the respondents I dispose of this writ petition with the following directions. As an interim arrangement the petitioner shall pay an amount of Rs.10,000/- before the 2nd respondent. On receipt of such payment, the 2nd respondent shall take immediate action for the replacement of the meter installed in the premises of the petitioner. It is also directed that the first respondent shall consider the representations filed by the petitioner complaining of the exorbitant bills that have been served on him. It is directed that before final decision is taken on the representations, first respondent shall issue notice to the petitioner and also hear him or his representative. (ANTONY DOMINIC) JUDGE vi/ WPC.No. 4932/2010 :3 :