THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE R. SUBHASH REDDY WRIT PETITION No. 31424 of 2010 O R D E R: Heard Sri Challa Gunaranjan, learned counsel for the petitioners and Sri O. Manohar Reddy, learned Standing Counsel for the respondents. The 1st petitioner is a mini cement plant and the 2nd petitioner is its Managing Director. In this Writ Petition, the petitioners have questioned the action of the respondents in disconnecting the power supply to the petitioners’ unit which is provided with Service Connection No. GNT 383. It is the case of the petitioners that right from the beginning, they have been paying the consumption and demand charges regularly, but the consumption bill for the month of October 2010, for an amount of Rs.4,65,086-52 ps. was not paid due to financial stringency. It is submitted that the petitioner company has become sick. It is in the process of taking steps for revival. It is the case of the petitioners that though they have submitted a representation on 19.11.2010 seeking time and installments for payment of the aforesaid bill amount, without considering the same and without issuing any prior notice and opportunity of hearing, the respondents have disconnected the power supply from 27.11.2010 . On the other hand, it is submitted by the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents that admittedly, the petitioners have not paid the consumption bill and in that view of the matter, steps were taken as per the terms and conditions of the supply and also the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003. Though it is the case of the petitioners that there is a consumption deposit of Rs.15,25,550/- with the respondents, the same cannot be adjusted towards consumption bills. As per the terms and conditions of supply, such a consumption deposit is to be made by the petitioners in addition to payment of regular bills towards consumption and demand charges. Inasmuch as it is stated that the petitioners have been paying the bills regularly and the bill amount due is only for the month of October 2010, as it is stated that the petitioner company has become sick, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the Writ Petition, directing the respondents to restore the power supply to the petitioners’ unit immediately on deposit of 50% of the demand amount by the petitioners. The petitioners shall pay the remaining 50% arrears within a period of three months from the date of restoration of power supply in equated monthly installments. The said payment is in addition to the consumption and demand charges to be raised after restoration of power supply. Any default in payment of the said amount, it is open to the respondents to take steps in accordance with the terms and conditions of supply and the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003. Subject to the above directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. ---------------------------- (R. SUBHASH REDDY, J) 14th October 2010 Issue CC in two days. ksld