Right to Service Commission penalises officials for negligence

The Haryana Right to Service Commission has taken note of a complaint lodged by a consumer, and fixed accountability of three officers for negligence.

A spokesperson of the commission said it had found during investigations that an application submitted by electricity consumer and Kaithal resident Sohan Lal for refund of security amount on March 15, 2022, was clearly marked to the assistant concerned (CA). Despite this, no action was taken in this regard, the spokesperson said.

The commission has imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on Duty Officer-cum-CA Pritam of the Gulha Cheeka division under Section 17(1)(h) of the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014. It also ordered Rs 5,000 compensation to be given to the consumer.

The amount will be deducted from the June salary of the official, and will be paid in July.

The commission has also recommended disciplinary action against FGRA-cum-SDO (OP) Ashish Gautam.

Despite knowing of the matter on January 3, he only cancelled the bill and closed the case on January 31, while no concrete action was taken on the consumer’s appeal and refund of security amount.

However, accepting it as a first-time lapse, the commission has accepted his oral and written apology.

The commission has also found the role of Superintending Engineer Gaurav Lochab of the Gulha Cheeka division unsatisfactory.

Despite passing the final order on April 3, he did not take any concrete initiative to cancel the wrong bill or refund the security amount along with the 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 (Rs 8,000) and the interest due to Sohan Lal and send the compliance report to the commission by July 10.

Haryana Tribune