Agency penalised for overcharging

Tribune news service

Chandigarh, August 19

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, has directed a Mohali-based agency Mahira Stores to refund an amount of Rs 37,920 with 10 per cent interest to Lt. General Harwant Singh (Retd.) charged extra illegally for the installation of the solar power plant.

Lt. General Harwant Singh (retd) resident of Sector 33-D, Chandigarh, in the complaint filed before the commission said that he availed the services of Mahira Stores Industrial Area, Phase-7, Mohali for the installation of the power Plant.

The agency was approved and authorised by the Chandigarh Renewal Energy and Science & Technology promotion society (CREST) , of Chandigarh Administration. A Purchase Order was placed with the agency on August 03, 2018 for installation of 3 KWP SPV Solar Power Plant at his house for a total price of Rs 1,80,000 .

He initially paid an advance amount of Rs 20,000 to the agency for installation of the Solar Power Plant. However, the agency did not start the work. Thereafter, as per demand of the agency he paid another amount of Rs 2,00,000. He alleged that the firstly the agency had charged excess amount of Rs 40,000 for installation of solar plant against the purchase order of Rs.1,80,000 and secondly they delayed the work on one pretext or the other and completed only in October 2018

He has requested a number of times to refund the excess charged amount of Rs 40,000 to him but still the agency failed to refund the same.

CREST in the reply said that the agency had charged extra amount from the complainant as it was not at all entitled to charge more than fixed rate and in the present case, the rate of the agency was Rs 61,000 per KWP and the complainant had installed solar plant of 3 KWP, thus, a total amount which became payable by the complainant comes to Rs 1,83,000 only.

Agency Mahira Stores did not appear despite service of notice, hence it was proceeded against ex-parte.