IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR THURSDAY, THE 25TH JANUARY 2007 / 5TH MAGHA 1928 WP(C).No. 1411 of 2007(R) ----------------------------------- PETITIONER: ----------------- SHAJI SEBASTIAN, S/O.DEVASSY, AGED 45 YEARS, MANGALATHIL HOUSE, MOOLAPADAM ROAD, H.M.T. JUNCTION, KALAMASSERY. BY ADV. SRI.PAUL K.VARGHESE RESPONDENTS: ----------------------- 1. KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, VYDYUTHI BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE ELECTRIC ENGINEER, K.S.E.B. DIVISION, ALWAYE. 3. THE ASSISTANT ENGINEER, ALWAYE NORTH SECTION, K.S.E.B. BY ADV.SRI.JOSE J.MATHEIKAL, SC., K.S.E.B. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25/01/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, J. ---------------------------- WP(C).No.1411 of 2007-R ------------------------------- Dated this the 25th day of January, 2007. JUDGMENT The petitioner has approached this court challenging Exts.P1 and P2 bills. The petitioner is an agriculturist. Therefore, he claims free supply of electricity. Raising this claim he has filed Ext.P3 representation and thereafter this writ petition is filed challenging Exts.P1 and P2. 2. The Standing Counsel for the K.S.E.B. would submit that the petitioner's claim has not been included among the list of agriculturists approved by the Agricultural Officer eligible for free electricity. Therefore, he is liable to pay charges including arrears. The total amount due from him will come to Rs.13,351/- as per the communication dated 6-1-2007 issued to the petitioner. It is also submitted that against the said communication the petitioner has invoked statutory remedy available to him by filing an appeal before the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum, Ernakulam. In view of the above position, the writ petition is closed giving liberty to the petitioner to pursue the said remedy and also keeping open all his contentions. The Forum shall hear and dispose of the matter as expeditiously as possible and preferably within one month WPC 1411/2007 2 from the date of production of a copy of this judgment. (K.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR) JUDGE MS