IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN WEDNESDAY, THE 16TH DECEMBER 2009 / 25TH AGRAHAYANA 1931 WP(C).No. 36319 of 2009(H) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- CHIDAMBARAM TEA ESTATE, PAMBANAR, PEERMADE, REP. BY ITS DIRECTOR. BY ADV. SRI.T.C.SURESH MENON RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, VYDYUTHI BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. SPECIAL OFFICER (REVENUE), KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, VYDYUTHI BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. ADV. SRI.P.P.THAJUDEEN, SC, K.S.E.B THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 16/12/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J. ================== W.P.(C).No. 36319 of 2009 ================== Dated this the 16th day of December, 2009 J U D G M E N T The petitioner is a defaulter in payment of electricity charges. Ext.P1 demand has been made in that regard by the 2nd respondent. The petitioner submits that because of acute financial stringency, the petitioner is unable to pay off the amounts in a lump sum. Therefore, the petitioner submits that he may be permitted to pay off the amounts in instalments. 2. The learned standing counsel appearing for the Kerala State Electricity Board opposes the prayer of the petitioner. According to him, Ext.P1 demand is a routine electricity charges for the latest month, for which no instalment facility can be given. 3. In so far as Ext.P1 demand is for current electricity charges, I do not think that the petitioner can be given instalment facility. However, I direct the respondents to grant the petitioner time upto 5.1.2010 for payment of the amounts covered by Ext.P1. However, I make it clear that the petitioner would be liable to pay surcharge till the date of payment. Till 5.1.2010 the petitioner's electricity connection shall not be disconnected for non-payment of electricity charges. Sd/- sdk+ S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE ///True copy/// P.A. to Judge 2