`30,000 fine for pvt bank for refusing to clear `750 power bill

The consumer forum has directed a private bank to pay Rs30,000 compensation to an account holder after it allegedly refused to clear an electricity bill of Rs750 through the ECS (electronic clearing system) despite there being sufficient funds in the account. In its order on February 10, the forum termed the case 'deficiency in service' on part of the bank.

The consumer forum has directed a private bank to pay Rs30,000 compensation to an account holder after it allegedly refused to clear an electricity bill of Rs750 through the ECS (electronic clearing system) despite there being sufficient funds in the account. In its order on February 10, the forum termed the case 'deficiency in service' on part of the bank.

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Hemant Bhatt, a resident of Malad, had filed a complaint against the bank stating that it wrongly rejected the payment of an electricity bill in 2008 stating that his account did not have sufficient funds. The forum held that there was no reason for the bank to refuse payment of the bill through the ECS as there was Rs27,040 in the account on the day of refusal.

Bhatt said that he had activated the ECS facility for payment of his home electricity bill from his account. On April 11, 2008, a power distribution company had forwarded a bill of Rs750 to the bank for clearance, but it declined payment.

Bhatt had alleged that, to make matters worse, the bank debited his account with Rs225 towards fine the next day. He claimed that when he sought clarification from the bank, he was told the sum had been debited on the company's demand.

Bhatt produced his bank account statement, which reflected that there were sufficient funds on the day, and that his account never had balance lesser then Rs2,000 between April 2 to April 11, 2008.

The forum held the bank guilty of 'deficiency in services' and observed that the compensation sought by Bhatt is justified. It also ordered the bank to pay him Rs5,000 towards the cost of complaint.

The bank was directed to clear the amount within six months, failing which it will have to pay the amount with 9% interest.