THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE C.V. NAGARJUNA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.30945 of 2014 Dated: 16.10.2014 Between:
SRR Packing Industries, Rep. by its Managing Partner G. Raj Venkateswara Yadav.
.. Petitioner and Southern Power Distribution Company of A.P. Ltd. Rep. by its Chief Managing Director, and others.
.. Respondents Counsel for the petitioner: Mr. Narasimha Rao Gudiseva Counsel for the respondents: Mr. P. Vinod Kumar
ORDER:
This writ petition is filed with the grievance that the petitioner’s request for reduction of contracted load is not being considered by the respondents.
Under sub-section (5) of Section 42 of the Electricity Act, 2003, every distribution licensee shall, within six months from the appointed date or date of grant of licence, whichever is earlier, establish a forum for redressal of grievances of the consumers in accordance with the guidelines as may be specified by the State Commission. Under sub-section (6), any consumer, who is aggrieved by non-redressal of his grievances under sub-section (5), may make a representation for the redressal of his grievance to an authority to be known as Ombudsman to be appointed or designated by the State Commission.
At the hearing, Mr. P. Vinod Kumar, learned Standing Counsel for the respondents, submitted that respondent No.1 has constituted the fora stipulated under the aforesaid provisions and that these fora have been effectively functioning.
In view of the availability of alternative remedies, which in my opinion are efficacious, I am not inclined to entertain this writ petition for adjudication. Accordingly, the petitioner is relegated to the said remedies.
Subject to the liberty given to the petitioner as above, the writ petition is dismissed.
As a sequel to the dismissal of the writ petition, W.P.M.P.No.38695 of 2014 shall stand disposed of as infructuous.
C.V. NAGARJUNA REDDY, J 16th October, 2014 IBL