Fri May 30 19:49:40 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kochi, India, has ruled in favor of a consumer who was wrongly billed over ₹15,000 by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) due to a faulty meter and subsequent leakage. The commission canceled the bill and fined the KWA for poor service and improper meter reading. The consumer, an ex-serviceman, was initially denied an exemption because he had reportedly received one in the past. The Commission determined the bill was erroneous due to an improper reading.

**News Article:**

**Kerala Water Authority Fined, Bill Canceled After Faulty Meter Snafu**

**KOCHI, May 31, 2025** – The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to cancel a disputed water bill exceeding ₹15,000 and pay a fine of ₹10,000, siding with a consumer who was incorrectly charged due to a defective meter.

The case involved Martin Paiva, a 73-year-old ex-serviceman from Elamakkara, who received a bill for ₹15,691 from the KWA’s Kaloor division in July 2024. Following an inspection, a leak near the water meter caused by a defective valve was discovered.

Paiva sought an exemption from the bill, but was initially denied by the KWA, citing a policy that such exemptions are only granted once every 10 years, and that he had previously benefited from this policy.

The Commission, however, found in favor of Paiva, noting a significant discrepancy between his average monthly water consumption (26.5 KL) and the billed amount (343 KL). The commission stated, “The bill issued by the opposite party is erroneous on the basis of improper reading… and the leakage was not due to the fault of the complainant.”

The panel further emphasized the KWA’s responsibility to provide reliable service and conduct regular inspections to prevent leaks. In addition to canceling the bill, the Commission fined the assistant executive engineer of the Kaloor division and the executive engineer of the Pallimukku division of the KWA ₹10,000 to cover the cost of legal proceedings. This ruling sends a clear message to utility providers about the importance of accurate billing and prompt maintenance.

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