IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.S.GOPINATHAN THURSDAY, THE 26TH MARCH 2009 / 5TH CHAITHRA 1931 DBP.No. 16 of 2009() -------------------- PETITIONER: -------------------- THE CHAIRMAN, KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY SC SRI.C.K.KARUNAKARAN. RESPONDENT(S): ---------------------- THE SECRETARY, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. ADV. SRI.C.K.KARUNAKARAN, SC FOR KSEB SRI.V.KRISHNA MENON, SC FOR TDB SRI.KRISHNAKUMAR MANGOT(AMICUS CURIAE) FOR OMBUDSMAN THIS DEVASWOM BOARD PETITION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 26/03/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: P.R.RAMAN & P.S.GOPINATHAN, JJ. ----------------------------------------- D.B.P.No.16 of 2009 ----------------------------------------- Dated this the 26th March, 2009 O R D E R Raman, J. The Ombudsman reported that electricity bills were issued by the Kerala State Electricity Board to the Travancore Devaswom Board for use of electricity during the festival season for street lights from Pamba to Sannidhanam and for the buildings owned and used by the Devaswom Board. The bill amount comes to Rs.3,00,50,000/- for the year 2007-2008. It is found that proper categorisation was not made and every connection is categorised under the same head. Further, being a religious institution, catering the needs of a large number of devotees from within the State and outside State, it cannot be treated on par with other consumers. Therefore, it is even possible to extend some concession and therefore, the Ombudsman has made the following suggestions: “(1) give 40% concession in tariff rate for temporary connection of tube lights used for illumination during Sabarimala Mandalam Makaravilakku Festival Season, DBP.16/09 2 (2) to change the tariff rate of the electricity connections to the buildings mentioned in Annexure-A from LT VII(A) to LT VI(A) and (3) further direct the Kerala State Elecytricity Board to recalculate the tariffs collected during the Mandalam Makaravilakku Festival, 2008 and either refund the difference to the Travancore Devaswom Board or to adjust the same in future bills.” 2. Despite an opportunity, the Kerala State Electricity Board has not filed any statement. Even though the learned Standing Counsel for the KSEB asked for further time for filing statement, we do not propose to give any further time. 3. In the factual situation, since the dispute is between two public authorities, the Travancore Devaswom Board as also the Kerala State Electricity Board, it will be appropriate that the matter be conciliated. An amicable solution be found out on the government level. Accordingly, we refer the matter to the Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala for convening a meeting of the representatives of the two bodies and to formulate an amicable settlement. Forward a copy of this order along with the TDB-Report DBP.16/09 3 No.27 of 2009 dated 2.3.2009 of the Ombudsman to the Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala for information and compliance. The Devaswom Board Petition is closed. P.R.RAMAN, JUDGE P.S.GOPINATHAN, JUDGE vgs.