The order was given here by the Forum bench comprising president H.C. Modi and members Shashi Kanta and R.K. Behl. Allowing the complaint of a Panchkula resident Pankaj Singla, the Forum bench held that had the company not promised to deliver the cooler within seven days things would have been viewed from a different angle, but since there was a promise and the actual delivery was made after the expiry of six weeks, there has been deficiency on the part of the respondent. In his complaint, Singla mentioned that he remitted a sum of Rs 4,563 for purchase of the cooler on reading an advertisement, wherein it had been written in bold words that the cooler would be dispatched within seven days. He stated that he would have gone for some other cooler had the advertisement not promised quick delivery of the product. The complainant claimed compensation on account of the entire purpose of buying the cooler having been defeated due to its late delivery.

Gas agency to pay for harassing consumer
District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I has directed a local gas agency to immediately release gas connection to a complainant without pressuring him to buy a hot plate from them. The agency was also directed to pay Rs 2,000 to compensate for harassment caused to the consumer. Apart from this litigation costs of Rs 500 were also awarded to the complainant.

Burail resident Surjit Singh stated in his complaint that he had booked a gas connection of Indian Oil Corporation through a gas centre.

When he came to know that the connection was to be released by the Sunshine gas agency, he approached them for the same, but the agency refused to release the gas connection until the complainant also bought a hot plate from them. The complainant approached IOC which instructed the gas agency to give connection to the consumer without insisting on the purchase of hot plate.

The agency insisted on inspecting the hot plate he owned but no one was sent for the said inspection. Following this harassment, the complaint was lodged.

Keeping in view all aspects of the case, the Forum bench directed the agency to release gas connection to the consumer on the rate which was earlier prevalent and also bear costs for causing harassment to him.