Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
The Haryana Right to Service Commission has taken note of a complaint of a consumer and fixed accountability of three officers for negligence. Giving information about this matter, a spokesperson of the Commission said the Commission found in investigation that the application given by electricity consumer Kaithal resident Sohan Lal for refund of security amount on March 15, 2022 was clearly marked to the concerned Assistant (CA), but despite this, no action was taken on it.
The Commission has imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on Duty Officer-cum-CA Pritam of Division Gulha Cheeka under Section 17(1)(h) of Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014 and ordered to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation to the consumer. This amount will be deducted from the salary of June, 2025 and paid in July, 2025. An amount of Rs 5,000 will be deposited in the state treasury and an amount of Rs 5,000 will be transferred to the bank account of consumer Sohan Lal.
Apart from this, the Commission has also recommended disciplinary action against FGRA-cum-SDO (OP) Ashish Gautam. Despite knowing the matter on January 3, 2025, he only cancelled the bill and closed the case on 31st January, 2025, while no concrete action was taken on the consumer's appeal and refund of security amount. However, accepting the lapse for the first time, the Commission has accepted his oral and written apology by warning him.
The Commission has also found the role of Superintending Engineer Gaurav Lochab of Division Gulha Cheeka unsatisfactory. Despite passing the final order on 3rd April, 2025, he did not take any concrete initiative to cancel the wrong bill or refund the security amount along with interest. If the security amount and due interest are not paid to the consumer in the next 15 days, disciplinary action will be recommended against him.
The Commission has directed the Superintending Engineer to pay the security amount of Rs 8,000 and the interest due to the consumer Sohan Lal and send the compliance report to the Commission by July 10, 2025.