IGL to pay Rs 10K for delaying gas connection to customer

The Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL),which supplies Piped Natural Gas in Delhi, has been directed by a consumer forum here to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation to a customer for delay in providing gas connection to him.

The South West District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum observed that the IGL had "failed to perform" its "statutory obligation" of supplying gas to Delhi resident Vineet Kumar and provided the same only after he filed a complaint nine months after applying for it.

"From the perusal of the record it is clearly established that the gas supply was released to the complainant (Kumar) only on January 17, 2010 as stated by opposite party's (IGL) representative, who appeared on their behalf in this forum on February 1, 2010, after Kumar had already filed the complaint on December 23, 2009, alleging deficiency-in-service.

"From the above stated facts, we feel satisfied that the IGL failed to perform their statutory obligation as undertaken vide the terms and conditions for supply of PNG to consumers.

We, therefore, hold it guilty for deficiency-in-service," the bench presided by Narendra Kumar said.

Vineet Kumar in his complaint had alleged that he had applied to the IGL for a gas connection on March 18, 2009, depositing Rs 5,000 and he was told that he would get the connection in 15 days.

He had added that after expiry of 15 days, whenever he contacted the representatives of IGL, they kept on extending the period.

The IGL had contended that as per the terms and conditions for supply of PNG to domestic consumers, a time frame of six months had been fixed which was subject to necessary clearance and statutory permissions. The firm had added that on completion of the PNG installation Kumar had signed a satisfaction report.

The forum, however, rejected IGL's stand saying "the report does not absolve them of their liability to release the supply of gas within six months."

Allowing Kumar's complaint, the forum asked the IGL to pay Kumar a consolidated sum of Rs 10,000 as compensation for harassment along with the cost of litigation.