The Tamil Nadu Electricity Ombudsman has reiterated that the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) should not collect estimate and extension charges from electricity consumers seeking new services unless such extensions are exclusively located within the consumer premises.
Case Details
Disposing of an appeal filed by G Pazhani Kumar of Varadharajapuram, Ombudsman K Indrani directed TNPDCL to revise the estimate charges with a clear distinction of how much of the extension was inside the consumer premises and how much was on the roadside. The corporation was also ordered to reimburse the excess charges from the Rs 80,000 collected from Pazhani Kumar.
Consumer's Grievance
Pazhani Kumar had applied for a new temporary service for the construction of a house last year. However, TNPDCL raised an estimated charge of Rs 80,000, apart from other deposits. When he questioned the rationale behind such high estimated charges, he was told that he should bear all the charges as the service lines had to be extended to effect the connection. Dissatisfied with the response from the consumer grievance redressal forum, he appealed before the electricity ombudsman.
Pazhani Kumar argued that consumers should not be burdened with extension charges since electricity poles and cables are the property of the distribution company (discom). He contended that the charges were unjustified as the extensions were not solely on his premises.
TNPDCL's Defense
TNPDCL officials submitted that the estimate charges were collected because the appellant did not furnish documents proving that the pathways in the layout were settled in favor of the local bodies. They maintained that the charges were necessary to cover the cost of extending service lines to the consumer's property.
Ombudsman's Verdict
The ombudsman upheld the consumer's argument, emphasizing that estimate and extension charges should only apply to work done exclusively within the consumer premises. For extensions on public property, such as roadsides, the cost should be borne by the discom. The ombudsman ordered TNPDCL to revise the estimate charges within 30 days and submit a compliance report within 45 days. The corporation must also reimburse any excess amount collected from Pazhani Kumar.
This ruling sets a precedent for similar cases, ensuring that consumers are not unfairly charged for infrastructure that is the responsibility of the utility provider.
