A.P. STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD vs Chief General Manager, Telecommunication

THE complaint is the A.P. State Electricity Board. It is alleged that in respect of Telephone No. 227220 the complainant has received bills dt. 27.7.89,21- 9-89 and 21-11-89 for Rs. 15,665/-, Rs. 74,301/- and Rs. 20,952/- respectively. THE grievance of the complainant is that during the period from 21- 7-88 to 21-5-89 the bimonthly bill amount in respect of this Telephone number never execeeded Rs. 5,000/- and that the excess billing was either due to the faulty recording of calls at the Exchange or as a result of misuse of the complainant''s telephone connection by certain miscreants. In the counter-affidavit filed on behalf of the opposite party, various allegations-made in the complaint are denied.

SECTION 7(B) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1985 provides for reference of the dispute to an Arbitrator appointed by the Central Government. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the view that this is a fit case where the matter can be directed to be referred to the Arbitrator under SECTION 7(b) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1985. Therefore, we direct that the matter shall be referred to an Aribitrator appointed by the Central Government under Sec. 7(b) and the arbitration proceedings shall be completed within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is further directed that no officer of the Hyderabad Telecom District shall be appointed as an Arbitrator. The complainant shall pay Rs. 25,000/- towards the demand under the said three bills within ten days from today. The complaint is accordingly disposed of. No costs. Complaint disposed of.