Consumer panel directs TGSPDCL to issue new electricity connection, pay ₹7,000 compensation
HYDERABAD: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Ranga Reddy, has directed Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) officials to issue a new domestic electricity service connection to a resident of Mallapur and pay ₹7,000 towards compensation and costs.
The order came on a complaint filed by K. Shekar Babu, a government employee residing in Annapurna Colony, Mallapur, Kapra, Hyderabad, under Section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. He alleged that the power utility failed to provide an additional domestic service meter despite receiving the required charges.
Complaint over rejection of new service request
According to the complaint, Shekar Babu already had three domestic electricity service meters at his residence and had no payment defaults. On January 18, 2024, he applied online for an additional domestic service connection for 1,000 watts and paid ₹1,646.50.
The following day, he received a message stating that the request had been rejected. He alleged that the application was rejected without proper enquiry by the concerned lineman and the Assistant Engineer at Mallapur. Despite submitting several representations to authorities, the new connection was neither provided nor the fee refunded.
The complainant also stated that the power utility had earlier issued a notice regarding additional connected load for an existing service connection in the name of his mother, K. Amrutha Bai. He later paid development and penalty charges totalling ₹5,417.50 between January and August 2024.
Disconnection of three meters disputed
The complaint further alleged that on June 19, 2024, a lineman disconnected the electricity connection on the directions of the Assistant Engineer without prior notice.
When Shekar Babu approached the office seeking clarification, the Assistant Engineer allegedly responded rudely and instructed the lineman to disconnect the other two service meters at the same house. The connections were disconnected .
The complainant paid ₹3,232 online shortly after the disconnection towards development charges and later sought reconnection. Following repeated requests, the staff restored the supply later the same day.
Commission finds deficiency in service
During the proceedings, the opposite parties the Chief Managing Director of TGSPDCL, the Divisional Engineer of Habsiguda division, and the Additional Divisional Engineer (Operations), Nacharam, did not appear before the commission. They were set ex parte.
After examining the complainant and documents filed as evidence, the commission observed that although the utility had demanded charges for regularising additional load and the complainant cleared the dues, the requested new service connection was still not issued.
The commission held that the complainant had completed all required formalities, including payment of development charges, but the power utility failed to perform its duty of providing the new connection.
Order and compensation
Allowing the complaint partly, the commission directed the three TGSPDCL officials jointly and severally to:
Issue a new service connection to the complainant.
Pay ₹2,000 as compensation for mental agony.
Pay ₹5,000 towards litigation costs.
The commission ordered compliance within 45 days of receiving the order. If the payment is delayed, the compensation will attract interest at 9% per annum from the date of default.
