DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Haryana Right to Service (RTS) Commission has directed the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN), Panchkula to grant a compensation of Rs 3,000 over a delay in providing a notified service to a consumer.

While giving this information here today, a spokesperson of the Commission said Sh. Rajesh Yadav, a resident of Jhajjar district, had approached the Commission regarding replacement of his old meter.

After lodging a complaint on July 18, 2024, he received a call from the Nigam that his new meter had arrived and would be replaced within 2-3 days. However, no action was taken in this regard. Instead, the complainant alleged that he received a call from the concerned JE stating that no meter was available in the store and that his meter could not be replaced.

From the complainant's account, it appeared that the JE was seeking illegal gratification, causing delays in the installation of the new meter. The complainant further alleged that the concerned SDO fabricated a document by sending a satisfaction letter purportedly signed by one Sh. Jai Parkash Yadav, who, according to the complainant, was neither a tenant nor an employee at the premises.

The Commission carefully considered all the facts and circumstances of the case. It was only after an appeal was filed with the Commission that the meter was finally replaced on November 26, 2024.

It said for a service that is supposed to be delivered within 3 days in urban areas, it took more than 4 months to provide the same, adding that UHBVN is clearly responsible for this delay. It is neither the concern of the complainant/consumer nor the Commission that meters are unavailable.

Once a service has been notified, the UHBVN must take all possible steps to ensure adequate supply of meters in its stores. It has been generally observed that the Material Management (M&M) wings of the power utilities are not ensuring the availability of necessary material in their stores, which causes delays in the delivery of notified service, the Commission observed.

(editor@dailyworld.in)