Electric meter in pagdi property
Jimit C Gathani
(Querist) 29 January 2013
This query is : Resolved
Sir we have a residential flat under pagdi system and my dad runs small business of clothing from house without using any machines.
We have reliance electricity meter so the officials come now and den and harras my dad and ask him to bribe them since dey r of the opinion that its commercial activity and we should pay electric charges as per commercial rates.
So sir plz do advice with the section and under which Act we can oppose them..my dad is in big tension...plz kindly solve my query it will a great help from your side.
Thanking you
yours faithfully
jimit
R.K Nanda 
(Expert) 29 January 2013
complaint to concerned electricity office
about said harassment .
Anirudh
(Expert) 29 January 2013
You admit that your father is doing business from the said house.
Therefore, if the electricity authorities come and say that you are liable to pay electricity charges on commercial basis, they are right.
It is not necessary that you have to run or use any machine to be liable to pay for electricity at commercial rates. It is enough if you use the premises for commercial purposes (in this case you are indeed using it for commercial purpose, even as per your own admission).
Say for example, a retail shop doing business has to pay charges for electricity on commercial rates - though the retail shop owner may not run any machine!
Or a tailoring shop (though the tailoring machines may not be run on electricity) has to pay for electricity on commercial rates.
Therefore, the suggestion of Mr. Nanda to complain to the electricity authorities is not a solution. Rather it will backfire on you.
R.K Nanda
(Expert) 29 January 2013
i have advised to complaint against their
harassment only and not regarding paying
charges.
Jimit C Gathani
(Querist) 29 January 2013
Thnx sir thnx a lot. So my dad have to shift the business location so as to avoid harassment and to avoid charges.
thnk u to both of them for relieving from tension.
R.K Nanda
(Expert) 29 January 2013
u r welcome.
