Case: Grid Corporation of Orissa Limited Vs. Messrs Indian Charge Chrome Limited

The brief facts leading to the present controversy may be summarised as under:-(3) The GRID Corporation of Orissa Ltd., (for short the GRIDCO) is the appellant in all these appeals whereas M/S Indian charge Chrome ltd., (for short ICCL) is the respondent. GRIDCO was the appellant in Miscellaneous Appeal No s. 599/97 -600/97 whereas ICCL was the petitioner in MJC No. 229/97 before the Orissa High Court(4) The GRIDCO became the successor of the Orissa State Electricity Board (hereinafter referred to as OSEB) w.e.f. 1.4.1996 and was engaged in the business of transmission, distribution and supply of electricity to various consumers in the State of Orissa. Indian metals and Ferro Alloys Company (for short IMFA) is a sister concern of ICCL. ICCL sometime in 1984 corresponded with the Government of Orissa seeking permission to generate power. Accordingly after completing the formalities ICCL sometimes in 1989 set up the Captive Power Plant to generate power in the State of Orissa at Choudwar. Power generated at Choudwar was to be wheeled to The Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys Company (IMFA) at Therubali a sister concern of ICCL and PPL and the surplus power was to be sold to OSEB. For the purposes of administrative convenience ICCL was incorporated. Accordingly, an agreement dated February 14, 1989 was entered into between OSEB and ICCL and under the said agreement the power generated by ICCL at Choudwar was fed to the GRID of OSEB for further transmission to the Charge Chrome Manufacturing Plant of IMFA at Therubali. The arrangement between OSEB and ICCL continued until a Memorandum of Understanding dated 15.11.1994 was arrived at and signed by ICCL and OSEB and thereafter followed by an agreement dated 4.3.1995 w.e.f. 1.12.94. Under this MOU of 1994 power supplied by ICCL to OSEB was charged at 77 paise per unit; wheeling of power by OSEB (from ICCL) was charged @ 15%, (known as wheeling charges). ICCL was permitted to draw power from OSEB for supply to PPL/IMFA /PPT on payment of Rs. 2.31/- per unit (back- up power); ICCL guaranteed supply of power to OSEB at least 10 MW per day. Although this agreement was valid for six months, however the exchange of power on both sides continued even thereafter. OSEB used to raise the monthly bills as per the readings recorded on TOD meters with 30 minutes recording time. GRIDCO who became the successor of DSEB w.e.f. 1.4.96, called upon ICCL to pay outstanding dues for the period December , 1994 to December, 1996 amounting to Rs. 24.8281 crores. ICCL failed to make the payment. During this period the OSEB and thereafter GRIDCO had been wheeling/supplying electricity to ICCL in terms of MOU dated) On 25.2.1997 ICCL fi led an application before the Regulatory Commission constituted under the Orissa Electricity Reform Act, 1955 (for Short Reform Act) raising a dispute as regards bill amounts and its liability to pay to GRIDCO. On 7.4.1997 GRIDCO informed ICCL that unless the arrears of Rs. 24.8281 crore are paid on or before 22.4.97, it will be compelled to discontinue the power supply in accordance with law. On 8.4.97 ICCL filed another petition before Regulatory Commission alleging that the claim of the GRIDCO for the arrears for the period from December, 1994 to December, 1996 is untenable inasmuch as the same is contrary to the MOU and the agreement. ICCL then alleged that because of variation of frequency in the GRID, the power generated by its Captive Power Plant could not be inducted into the GRID. It was an obligation of GRIDCO to check variation of frequency in the GRID and because of its negligence its captive power plant got damaged. The billing done by GRIDC O on the basis of half hourly reading was totally unjustified. The GRIDCO in this reply denied the allegations and stated that variations of frequency in the GRID was maintained by using proper electric system. The frequency was maintained as prescribed under the Indian Electricity Rules. The power was wheeled according to the MOU dated 15.11.1994 and the agreement dated 4.3.1995. As regards the maintenance of frequency it was stated that it depends upon all operators in the GIR D Which is coordinated by the Eastern Regional Load Despatch Centre. The GRIDCO used to receive power from various sources. The claim set up by ICCL as regards the damage to their Captive Power Plant is untenable. As regards the billing it was stated tat it is established practice for all heavy industrial consumers that though billing is done on a monthly basis, but for billing purposes exchange of energy/power supplied to the consumers is measured on the basis of consumption for each 30 minutes b lock separately. To facilitate this TOD meters are installed at the supply point. Clause 16(2) of the Agreement dated 4.3.95 provides for such) Despite the notice no payment was made by ICCL and therefore, vide notice dated 24.4 .97 under Section 24(1) of the Indian Electricity ACT the ICCL was called upon to pay the arrears within seven days, in default power supply will be discontinued(7) The ICCL did not make any payment. But on the contrary on 30.4.97 ICCL filed a petition under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (for short Arbitration Act) in the Court of District Judge, Puri which was numbered as Arbitration Case No. 195/97 for relief of injunction. The District Judge on 3 0.4.97 granted ex-parte injunction restraining GRIDCO from disconnecting back up power supply to ICCL, IMFA and PPL. GRIDCO aggrieved by this order filed appeal before the Orissa High Court on 15.5.97. The High Court Stayed the operation of the order of the District Judge dated 30.4.97. on 16.5.97 ICCL appeared before the High Court and prayed for recall of the order of stay dated 15.5.97. The High Court recalled its order and directed to restore the electric supply which was disconnected, subject to deposit of Rs.5 crores by ICCL as against the arrears of Rs. 24.8281 crores. Aggrieved by this order dated 16.5.1997 ICCL filed SLP in this Court which came to be disposed of on 27.5.97 confirming the direction of payment of R s. 5 crore but, however, this Court granted facility to make payment in two installments. As regards the recurring charges the Court observed as under:-We are not passing any order with regard to recurring charges. The matter is left open. The appeals are disposed of accordingly(8) In the meantime the Regulatory Commission on 21.5.97 asked ICCL to clarify as to how its petition could be treated as Reference under Section 37(1) of the Reform Act since it is not a licensee under the said Act. On 2.6.97 ICCL filed another application before the Regulatory Commission stating that the same may be treated as a Reference under Section 37(1) of the Reform Act. On 9.6.97 GRIDCO filed its reply and took a preliminary objection to the maintainability of the application of Reference under Section 37(1) of the Reform Act. The Regulatory Commission adjourned the matter to 19.7.97 for hearing on the question of) On payment of rupees five crores by ICCL in pursuance of the order of this Court the GRIDCO restored power supply to ICCL. Again for the period of January, 1997 to May, 1997 the ICCL failed to pay the bills amounting to Rs. 5, 12, 45, 546.06 and, therefore, on 19.6.97/20.6.97 the GRIDCO issued a notice to ICCL to pay the said amount within seven days in default power supply will be disconnected. The ICCL approached the Additional District judge Challenging the said notice and the Court on 27.6.1997 granted interim order staying the operation of the notice dated 19/20.6.97 of disconnection without imposing any condition. On 14.7.97 the ICCL filed a petition before the Orissa High Court under Section 11 of the Arbitration Act being MJC No. 229/97 for appointment of an Arbitrator. In the meantime the Additional District Judge who was seized of the two applications disposed of the same by two separate orders dated 26.7.97 restraining GRIDCO from disconnecting power supply to ICCL/IMF A till disposal of Case No. 15/97 pending before the Regulatory Commission. Both these orders did not impose any condition for payment of arrears or current charges except stating therein that in the event ICCL failed to comply with the order of the Supreme Court, GRIDCO may take appropriate action(10) Aggrieved by the tow orders dated 26.7.97 passed by the additional District Judge the Gridcoon 14.8.97 filed two appeals before the Orissa High Court being M.A. Nos. 599-600 of 1997 challenging the legality and correctness of the said orders(11) In view of the blanket stay order dated 26.7.97, ICCL did not make any payment for the amounts due from June, 1997 to September, 1997 in the aggregate sum of Rs. 13, 18, 88000/- . On 7.11.1997 GRIDCO, therefore, issued a notice of disconnection for non payment of the dues of Rs. 13, 18, 88000/-. On 7.11.1997 GRIDCO, therefore, issued a notice of disconnection for non payment of the dues of Rs. 13, 18, 88000/-. On receipt of this notice ICCL on 10.11.1997 filed an application before the High court praying for stay of the notice dated 7.11.97 of disconnection and the High Court on 11.11.1997 granted the interim) The Learned Chief Justice of Orissa High Court took up for final disposal Miscellaneous appeal Nos. 599/600 of 1997 filled by GRIDCO and MJC No. 229 of 1997 filled by ICCL. The High Court by its order dated 10.298 held that there was a dispute between ICCL and the GRIDCO which is arbitrable falling within t he jurisdiction of the Regulatory Commission under Section 37 of t he Reform Act and also arbitrable under Section 3 read with Schedule of Electricity Act. The High Court further held that since the Regulatory Commission failed to arbitrate in the matter and/or failed to appoint an Arbitrator, nominated a Retired Chief Justice of India as the sole Arbitrator. The High court further directed that stay of disconnection shall continue. From the return filed on behalf of ICCL it appears that ICCL without loss of any time, on 25.2.98 filed statement of claim on its behalf before the sole arbitrator(13) The GRIDCO aggrieved by the common judgment and order passed by the High Court filed these three appeals challenging the legality and correctness thereof.

Court's reasoning:
(14) We have gone through the judgment of the High Court and in our considered view it had exceeded the jurisdiction while entertaining the application of ICCL under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 199 6. The High Court erroneously assumed that the Regulatory Commission had failed to arbitrate under Section 37(1) of the Reform Act. this finding is factually incorrect because vide application dated 19.797 ICCL asked the Regulatory Commission to adjourn the proceedings pending before it on the ground that it had filed MJC No. 229/97 in the High Court . In view of this application the Regulatory Commission did not proceed in the matter. If this be so the High Court in our opinion was wrong in holding that there was failure on the part of Regulatory Commission to arbitrate and consequently the application made by ICCL under Section 11 of Arbitration Act is maintainable. In our considered view the application made by ICCL under Section 11 of the Arbitration Act, 1996 (MJC No. 229/97) was premature and the High Court could not have entertained the same and granted desired relief to) Another question which was seriously contested on behalf of GRIDCO before the Regulatory Commission as well as before the High Court was that ICCL is not a licensee within the meaning of Section 2(h) of Indian Electricity Act, 1910 and also under Section 2(e) and (f) of the Reform Act, 1995. The High Court recorded a finding that ICCL is a licensee under the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 and it continued to be a licensee even after Reform Act, 1995 came into force. The High Court placed reliance on Section 14(1) of the Reform Act and held that ICCL is authorised by the State Authority in the business of supplying the electricity. It was thus concluded that ICCL in view of Section 14 of the Reform Act, 1995 shall continue to be a licensee. In view of this finding the High Court held that the dispute is arbitrable under Section 37(1) read with Section 33 of the Reform Act, 1995. It is not seriously disputed that ICCL after a long drawn correspondence with the Orissa Government had received no objection to put up the captive power plant at Choudwar to generate power. Accordingly in 1989 the Captive power plant started generating power which was supplied to the OSEB. This arrangement continued till 1994 When MOU and agreement were entered into between ICCL and OSEB. The GRIDCO being a successor of OSEB naturally the MOU of 1994 and agreement of 1995 will be binding upon the GRIDCO in the absence of any material to the contrary. It is not the contention of the GRIDCO that ICCL did not supply any power at all during the period for which the bills were raised on ICCL. Despite this factual position it appears that no formal licence was issued under Section 2(h) of Indian Electricity Act, 1910 or under the Reform Act, 1995. It cannot be ignored that the investment of ICCL in putting up a Captive power Plant at choudwar is running into few hundred croresFrom the facts noted hereinabove and in view of Section 14(1) of the Reform Act it is quite clear that ICCL was/is authorised and engaged in supplying the electricity to OSEB and thereafter to GRIDCO and if this be so the dispute between the GRIDCO and ICCL could be arbitrable under Section 37(1) read with Section 33 of the Reform Act, 1995(18) In our considered view the spacious claim pressed before us on behalf of ICCL cannot be accepted at this interlocutory stage. it is not denied by ICCL that back up power was available to its sister concern IMF and PPL and the manufacturing process was continuing. At this interlocutory stage what the courts are required to bear in mind is as to whether a prima facie case for recovery of arrears of energy charges is made out and on whose side the balance of convenience lies. In the facts and circumstances of the case whether interim order should be passed by imposing certain conditions or without any condition. The net result of the impugned order is that the GRIDCO is required o maintain back up power to the constituents of ICCL but for such supply latter was not required to make any payment for power consumed. It also needs to be mentioned that under the MOU dated 15.11.94 and agreement dated 4.3.95 ICCL is required to pay for consumption of energy @ Rs. 2.31 per unit which is far less than the rate at which power is supplied to other commercial units. It is true that ICCL when supplies power to GRIDCO the latter pays at the rate of 77 paise per unit to former. Some dispute is also raised as regards interpretation of MOU and agreement but we do not think it appropriate to deal with these contentions at his point of timeWe do not propose to deal with these rival contentions at this interlocutory stage and, therefore, they are kept openAnother dispute also relates to wheeling charges @ 15%. According the GRIDCO power was in fact wheeled but according to Mr. Venugopal when the turbines were shut down though intermittantly there was no question of wheeling the power. This issue again needs further investigation in depth and at this interlocutory stage it would not be proper to conclude one way or the other. We, therefore, proceed on the assumption that the amount reflected on the basis of monthly bills payable to the GRIDCO by ICCL would be Rs. 46.193 crores less 15% wheeling charges which would come Rs. 6.92 crores approximately. At this interlocutory stage even if we give benefit of this amount of R s. 6.92 crores payable by ICCL to GRIDCO under the various bills still the outstanding arrears payable by ICCL to GRIDCO would come to Rs. 39.273 croresWe, therefore, feel that the fair and proper order to meet the ends of justice a t this interim stage would be to direct ICCL to pay Rs. 39.273 crores in seven equal installments of Rs. 5 crores payable on or before 10th of each month to GRIDCO and the 8th installment of Rs.5 crores will be payable in the month of June , 1998. The Regulatory Commission while making the award, will pass appropriate orders as regards interest on the amount if found refundable to ICCL or recoverable by GRIDCO on their respective claims in accordance with law. In the event of an y two defaults, facility of payment by installment to stand vacated. Disconnection notices will revive and Gridco will be at liberty to take such steps as permissible in law. As regards the recurring charges if ICCL wants to use power it will have to make payment of such bills as and when served upon them. ICCL may raise a dispute before the Regulatory Commission. If there be any Occasion to consider such application the Regulatory Commission will pass interim orders in accordance with law. These calculations and directions are without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties.