IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN MONDAY, THE 16TH AUGUST 2010 / 25TH SRAVANA 1932 WP(C).No. 25783 of 2010(W) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- Y.THANKAPPAN,RAJI NIVAS,CSEZ.P.O, KAKKANAD,KOCHI-37. BY ADV. SRI.K.MOHANAKANNAN SMT.A.R.PRAVITHA RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. KERALA WATER AUTHORITY,REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN. 2. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER,WATER SUPPLY DIVISION,KERALA WATER AUTHORITY,KOCHI-18. 3. THE ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, WATER SUPPLY DIVISION,NAD ROAD,KERALA WATER AUTHORITY,KALAMASSERY. ADV.M.DINESH, SC THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 16/08/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J. ================== W.P.(C).No.25783 of 2010 ================== Dated this the 16th day of August, 2010 J U D G M E N T The petitioner is a domestic water consumer. According to the petitioner, average monthly consumption of water is only 36 kiloliters and the petitioner has been paying water charges on that basis without default, as is evidenced by Exts.P1 and P2. But the petitioner has now been served with Ext.P3 bill dated 31.5.2010 on 10.8.20010 directing the petitioner to pay an amount of Rs.38,454/- as arrears of water charges on or before 16.8.2010. The petitioner has filed Ext.P4 appeal before the 2nd respondent against the bill. The petitioner apprehends disconnection before Ext.P4 can be disposed of by the 2nd respondent. The petitioner, therefore, seeks the following reliefs: “(i) To issue a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, calling for the records leading to Ext.P3 and quash the same. (ii) To issue a writ of mandamus or an appropriate order or direction directing the 2nd respondent to consider and dispose of Ext.P4 appeal after hearing the petitioner and the disconnection of water supply to the petitioner may be stayed till order is passed accordingly on Ext.P4 Appeal.” 2. I have heard the learned standing counsel appearing for the Water Authority also. 3. Having heard both sides, I dispose of this writ petition with the following directions: The 2nd respondent shall consider and pass orders on Ext.P4 2 appeal filed by the petitioner, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within one month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment, after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner. Till disposal of Ext.P4 appeal, the petitioner's water supply shall not be disconnected on condition that the petitioner pays an amount of Rs.10,000/- within two weeks. Payment of the balance amount shall be in accordance with the orders to be passed on Ext.P4. Sd/- sdk+ S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE ///True copy/// P.A. to Judge