Mysuru:  In an interesting case, collecting 70 paise in excess of water bill from a consumer has made the MCC to pay Rs.1,500 as compensation.

Details: One S. Satish, a resident of Ramakrishnanagar H-Block in city, received a water bill for Rs.340.30 on June.17, 2018 from the MCC. He had paid Rs.340, just 30 paise short of the bill amount. But the MCC in its next bill issued on July.17, 2018 had added Rs.1 to the bill as dues, which in fact was 30 paise.

After receiving the July 17, 2018 bill, Satish moved the District Consumer Redressal Forum on Aug.4, 2018 seeking Rs.2 lakh compensation, claiming that he suffered from mental shock after receiving the water bill, which was 70 paise in excess.

Satish, in his petition, named the MCC Commissioner and Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW) Executive Engineer as the respondents.

After accepting the petition, the Forum issued notices to the two respondents, seeking a written explanation from them.

Later, the Forum which heard the petition on Feb.28, 2019, directed the MCC to pay a compensation of Rs.1,000 and Rs.500 as legal charges to the complainant Satish within 45 days of the order, failing which the MCC has to pay the said amount (Rs.1,500) to the petitioner along with an annual interest of 12 percent.

The Forum, headed by its Chairman H.M. Shivakumaraswamy, with M.C. Devkumar as a member, held the MCC officials guilty of negligence and issued the order on Feb.28, 2019 directing the MCC to pay the compensation to the petitioner Satish.