The district consumer disputes redressal forum has directed a Sector 34 based contractor to pay Rs 20,000 compensation for causing harassment to residents of a housing society following their refusal to pay the electricity bills.

The complainant-society, Chandigarh ESIC Employees Co-operative House Building Society, stated in their complaint that they entered into an agreement dated May 10, 2003 with Jatinder Mittal Engineers for the construction of dwelling units for which they agreed to pay the entire electricity and water charges to SDO Electricity.

Jatinder Mittal Engineers then constructed the flats and delivered the same to complainant-society stating it had cleared all the dues upon which the complainant cleared the final payment.

On taking possession of the flats, the complainant applied for installation of permanent electricity connection which was released and thereafter the bills issued were duly paid.

However, in October 2008, the electricity department unlawfully raised a demand of Rs 65,780 as sundry charges.

Upon enquiry it came to light that the amount was payable by the engineers as they pertained to the year 2004-05.

The complainant-society objected to the said demand since the temporary connection was in the name of the contractor which was used by them and therefore they were liable to pay the dues, if any.

In its reply, the contractors pleaded that the temporary electricity connection was released in the name of the complainant-society and, therefore, the amount due against the same was recoverable from the connection holder and thus the demand for clearance of outstanding amount of Rs 65,780 was correct.

... contd.