K.K. SASIDHARAN,J.
The demand raised by the appellants was challenged by the first respondent before the writ court on the ground that the exceeded demand will have to be charged under Section 5(2)(1) of the Supply Code and payment of extra levy of 10 paise per unit for the entire energy would not arise.
2. The learned single Judge without adjudicating the merits of the matter allowed the writ petition primarily on the ground that demand was made in violation of the principles of natural justice. The learned single Judge while quashing the demand observed that the amount shown in the impugned notice was not the amount indicated in the counter affidavit filed by the appellants herein. The order is under challenge in this intra court appeal.
3. The learned Standing Counsel for the appellants contended that there is a statutory remedy available to the first respondent by initiating proceedings before the OMBUDSMAN. The said ground is taken up by the appellants in the present appeal.
4. Sections 42(6) and 42(7) of the Electricity Act, 2003, provides for initiating proceedings before the OMBUDSMAN or a redressal forum. In the subject case, the authority, who passed the order himself is a member of the redressal forum. The first respondent therefore would not be in a position to approach the redressal forum. The other remedy is to approach the OMBUDSMAN. Since the OMBUDSMAN is a statutory authority, the consumer would be in a position to approach the said authority for redressal of grievance.
5. We are therefore of the view that interest of justice would be sub-served by granting liberty to the first respondent to move the OMBUDSMAN. In case, appeal is filed before the OMBUDSMAN within a period of four weeks from today, the same shall be considered and disposed of by the said authority on merits and as per law. Status quo as on today shall be preserved for a period of four weeks so as to enable the OMBUDSMAN to pass further orders in the interest of justice.
6. The intra court appeal is disposed of with the above direction. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.