Per:  K.V.Krishna Murthy:   

            The complainant was a resident in Bengaluru city at No. 280, 4^th Cross, 5^th Main, SVS School Opp, Kempegowda Layout, Laggare, Bangalore-5 having a LPG gas connection from M/s Rohan Gas Distributors, No.15/A, 5^th Cross, Opp: Big Bazar, Malleshwaram, Bangalore Urban.  The Termination Voucher, Ex.A.6 discloses the refund of Rs.1,400/- by the gas agency to the complainant on 02-4-2014.  A copy of the same was given to Prabhu Gas Distributors, Raichur Road, Deodurg on 02-4-2014.  Thereafter, the complainant sought gas connection from Prabhu Gas Agency, Kushtagi.  Consumer No.40046531 w.e.f. 25-8-2014 as could be seen from Subscription Voucher, Ex.A.4 for which he has paid Rs.1,400/- 04-06-2014

            2.  The complainant’s case is that inspite of payment of Rs.1,400/- plus Rs. 440/- plus Rs. 300/- amounting to Rs. 2,140/- to the proprietor of the gas agency on 04-6-2014 as per Ex.A.5 the receipt was given only for Rs.1,400/- on 25-8-2014 and not for the remaining amount when he demanded, he has been abused with vulgar language.

            3.  About a week later, on 03-9-2014 the complainant issued a notice to the proprietor of the OP gas agency as per Ex.A.1 requesting for providing the Cylinder and also the Domestic Gas consumer card (which he refers as pass-book) pointing-out that in the event of default, he will approach the District Consumer Forum for the relief.  This notice was served on the OP gas agency on the same day on 03-9-2014.

            4.  Since no reply has been received, the complainant filed this complaint on 15-9-2014 in this Forum seeking direction for issuance of Domestic Gas consumer Card and also for compensation under the following heads;

            1. Delay in issuance of cylinder voucher         -           Rs.20,000.00

            2. For not issuing the receipt for Rs.740/-       -           Rs. 20,000.00

            3. Expenses incurred by the complainant        -           Rs.   5,000.00

            4. To give the passbook                                         -                       -                      

            5.  For unfair trade practice                                 -           Rs. 15,000.00

            6.  For mental & physical harassment              -           Rs. 15,000.00

            7.  For deficiency in service                                 -           Rs. 15,000.00

            8. For litigation & other expenses                      -           Rs.   5,000.00

                                                            TOTAL                     -           Rs. 95,000.00

            5.  Notice of the complaint served on OP on 25-09-2014.  OP remained absent.  We have therefore followed the provisions of Section – 13 (2) of the Consumer Protection Act – 1986.

            6.  In the affidavit evidence filed on 25-11-2014, the complainant sought as follows;

“ಎದುರುದಾರನು ನನ್ನಿಂದ ದಿನಾಂಕ: 04-06-2014 ರಂದು ರೂ.300/- ಮತ್ತು ರೂ.440/- ಹಾಗೂ ರೂ.1,400/- ಗಳನ್ನು ಒಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ರೂ.2,140/- ಗಳನ್ನು ಪಡೆದು ದಿನಾಂಕ: 25-08-2014 ರಂದು ಕೇವಲ ರೂ.1,400/- ಕ್ಕೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ರಶೀದಿಯನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದ್ದು ಉಳಿದ ಹಣ ರೂ.740/- ಕ್ಕೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿಯವರೆಗೂ ರಶೀದಿಯನ್ನು ನೀಡಿರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ.  ಇದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಾನು ಎದುರುದಾರನಿಗೆ ಕೇಳಿದರೆ ನಾವು ಮಾರಾಟ ಮಾಡುವುದು ಹೀಗೆ ಎಂದು ಅವಾಚ್ಯ ಶಬ್ದಗಳಿಂದ ಹೇಳಿರುತ್ತಾನೆ.

ನನಗೆ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ರೋಹಿಣಿ ಗ್ಯಾಸ್ ವಿತರಕರು ನೀಡಿದ ಟರ್ಮಿನೇಶನ್ ವೋಚರನ್ನು ಎದುರುದಾರನ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಲಯಕ್ಕೆ ದಿನಾಂಕ: 02-04-2014 ರಂದು ನೀಡಿ ಸ್ವೀಕೃತಿಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆದಿರುತ್ತೇನೆ.  ಮತ್ತು ಎದುರುದಾರನು ನನ್ನಿಂದ ದಿನಾಂಕ: 04-06-2014 ರಂದು ಹಣ ಪಡೆದು ದಿನಾಂಕ: 25-08-2014 ರಂದು ವೋಚರನ್ನು ನೀಡಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ.  ಆದರೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿಯವರೆಗೂ ಪಾಸ್ ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ನೀಡಿರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ.  ಮತ್ತು ನನಗೆ ಸಿಲಿಂಡರ್ ಆದ ನಂತರ ಬೇರೆ ಸಿಲಿಂಡರ್ ಪಡೆಯಲು ಪುಸ್ತಕವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ತೊಂದರೆ ಆಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ.”

            7.  The last sentence in the above paragraph points-out that the complainant has taken delivery of one cylinder and he is facing problem to get the refill cylinder on account of non-delivery of Domestic Gas consumer card.  It is therefore clear that he has taken first cylinder from the OP gas agency although the date is not ascertainable.  Therefore, the amount of Rs.440/- received by the OP on 04-6-2014 must have been utilized.  The document Ex.A5 discloses that Rs.300/- has been received on 04-06-2014 towards documentation charges.  The complainant became the consumer of the OP agency w.e.f. 25-08-2014.  Therefore the question of deficiency in service between the parties could arise only after 25-08-2014.  If the complainant has any complaint for not giving the receipt for documentation charges, he has to approach the Regional Office or Zonal Office of the Bharat Petroliam Corporation Ltd.,  Therefore this Forum will  not entertain the complaint regarding non-issue of receipt for Rs.300/- paid by the complainant on 04-06-2014 to the OP gas agency.  However, we have to accept the affidavit evidence of the complainant that Domestic Gas consumer card has not been delivered to him resulting in problem in taking delivery of the second cylinder.  This is really the problem for a consumer.  When Consumer number is given the OP gas agency has to issue the Domestic Gas consumer card.  Therefore, deficiency in service is established in so far as to non-issuance of the Domestic Gas consumer card after the registration of the consumer number.  The consumer number was given on 25-08-2014 and even after three months Domestic Gas consumer card has not been delivered.  As such, it is necessary to direct the OP gas agency to issue a Domestic Gas consumer card so as to facilitate the consumer to get the refilled cylinder in future.

            8. Document No.5, Ex.A5, indicates that OP gas agency has collected Rs.440/- for refilled cylinder.  The price of the refilled cylinder is around Rs.430/- in Koppal town.  As such, amount collected by the OP gas agency in Kushtagi town appears to be more than the MRP fixed by the BPL.  That perhaps is the reason for OP not giving the receipt to the complainant.

            9.  In view of the above discussion, the complaint is disposed-off with the following directions;

1. OP is directed to issue the Domestic Gas consumer card with correct consumer number allotted to the complainant.

1. OP is directed to pay Rs.2,000/- (Rupees two thousand only) to the complainant as compensation for deficiency in service.

1. OP is directed to pay Rs.3,000/- (Rupees three thousand only) towards cost of litigation expenses.

1. Compliance should be reported by the OP within 8 weeks.

1. In the event of non-compliance, OP has to pay interest at rate of 10% p.a. on Rs.2,000/- from the date of complaint till actual payment.

Complaint Partly Allowed.

// ANNEXURE //

List of Documents Exhibited for the Complainant.

Witnesses examined for the Complainant / Respondent.