Reminding KSEB that water and electricity are integral part of Right to Live enshrined in the Constitution, the High court upheld the fine imposed on electricity engineers for the callousness shown in giving electricity connection to a person.
The order was passed by the Electricity Regulatory Commission against the engineers Raveendranathan and his colleague working in Kozhikode. The commission fined Rs 75000 in total. The writ petition filed by them challenging the order was rejected by the High Court observing that there is no ground to interfere with the reasons given by the commission.
A resident of Edarikode in Kozhikode district, P Sainudeen had applied for electricity connection. They pointed out certain technical objections but the Consumer grievances forum and the Electricity Regulatory Commission took a different view. At last it was found that the engineers showed utter disregard to the order of the Commission. Both were fined Rs 75000 in total.
The High court heard the engineers and other parties and observed that the order passed by the commission has to be upheld. The court rejected the arguments of the engineers. While the case was pending, the consumer was provided with connection.
The High Court observed that it is the foremost duty of KSEB to give connection to the applicants without any delay.
Electricity is a basic amenity in life. Water and electricity are integral parts of life as enshrined in our Constitution Article 21 Right to Live. The KSEB is the sole distributor of electricity in the state and has a statutory duty to provide electricity connection to consumers without delay.
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