‘SNGPL issues inflated bills’

Rawalpindi : The consumers have expressed deep concern over the issuance of inflated gas bills to them by SNGPL, particularly when they were facing shortage of gas supply and low pressure in October and November, despite the fact they had not used any gas appliances like heaters and geysers during the said months.

A good number of people approached this correspondent through different ways and alleged of receiving huge gas bills for November amounting between Rs1,500 and Rs3,000. The consumers of Lalazar, including Raziq, Babar and Haji Irfan claimed that though there were abroad in November along with their familes and had not even used gas but are asked to pay Rs2,897 against gas bills by the SNGPL. Is it fair to pay the amount without using gas, they asked.

The people of Dheri Hassanabad, Talhi Moari, Ghousia Chowk, Kamalabad, Akram Shaheed Road, Kamalabad,Tulsa Road also made similar complaints of getting inflated gas bills. They alleged that as there was problem of low gas pressure apart from zero gas supply and we used gas cylinders, woods for cooking purposes. Now without using gas, we are being asked to pay huge amounts against the gas bills. It is totally unjust, they said.

The people have termed the step a mockery with consumers by SNGPL and this is happening over the last few years and on the complaints of the consumers, the concerned authorities in the government like ministers, chairmen and general managers have done nothing to redress their grievance.

Taking opportunity of silence and indifference of the government authorities, the SNGPL officials have made it a practice of perturbing the consumers with the issuance of inflated bills in winter despite failing to provide them gas supply smoothly.

If action is not taken against the related officials and staff by the concerned authorities in the government, the SNGPL would continue the practice and serve highly inflated bills in the months to come in this winter, they believed.

The consumers while expressing concern over the issue have appealed to the authorities concerned to take notice of the matter and rectify the situation in future. The general manager SNGPL, Rawalpindi Region, Ch Mohammad Zahoor while giving version did not agree on the point of claiming huge amount against gas bills for November.

The SNGPL claimed that the gas bills are issued after meter-reading which is recorded through mobile cameras by meter-readers. If any consumer has complaint of wrong readings and huge amounts could approach him and their grievances would be dealt fairly, the official assured.

Anyhow the situation of gas supply would improve by the end of current month as gas pipelines are being laid at different areas connecting with the main supply line. Work is underway on fast note, he told.

The high official while clearing told that at night hours gas is supplied and the consumers use compressors at that time to avail this facility. Due to usage of compressors units run fast making huge amounts.

When asked why action is not initiated against consumers for using compressors to suck gas, Ch. Ghafoor told that the SNGPL has already initiated grand operation against them. Our specially formed teams are carrying out drive in each area on daily basis. They will also reach the leftover areas and nab those consumers who use compressor to suck gas and depriving others. While nabbing such consumers during drives, the SNGPL team would disconnect their gas supply connections as action against them. They would again be asked to reapply for getting new connections.