Maharashtra Commission Orders MSEDCL to Install Solar Pump Within 60 Days
A 69-year-old farmer in Nagpur finally receives justice after a seven-year wait for a solar pump connection.
MSEDCL ordered to install a solar pump and pay compensation.
Farmer's deposit was withheld for over seven years.
Claims for crop loss damages were rejected due to lack of evidence.
In a significant ruling, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has been directed by a consumer commission to install a 3 HP solar agricultural pump on a 69-year-old farmer's land within 60 days. This decision comes after the commission found that MSEDCL had failed to provide the promised connection despite holding the farmer's deposit for over seven years.
The Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission's order, issued on October 22, highlighted the farmer's plight, who had paid Rs 16,560 for the solar pump back on July 10, 2019. Despite numerous follow-ups, the utility did not fulfill its obligation, prompting the farmer to send a legal notice in January 2021 and subsequently approach the consumer forum in February of the same year.
In addition to mandating the installation of the pump, the commission ordered MSEDCL to compensate the farmer with Rs 35,000 for mental harassment and litigation costs, citing a clear deficiency in service. However, the commission dismissed the farmer's claim for Rs 24.93 lakh in damages related to crop losses, stating that his projected yield was speculative and lacked independent verification.
The farmer, residing in Parshivani tehsil, had initially applied for the solar pump to support his 1.83-hectare farm in Mauza Dundakhairi. MSEDCL argued that the farmer had submitted letters in late 2019 and 2020 indicating a desire to switch to a regular electricity connection. The farmer refuted these claims, alleging that he was misled and that his signature was misused.
The commission pointed out inconsistencies in MSEDCL's records, noting that despite the utility's claims of the farmer opting out, it accepted his online selection of a vendor in May 2020 and conducted a site inspection later that year. The commission concluded that MSEDCL's actions indicated that the application remained active, thereby reinforcing the farmer's right to the solar pump installation. MSEDCL must comply with the order or face interest penalties on the compensation amount.
