FIR against Sirsa gas agency for overcharging customer

Hisar: The Sirsa police have registered an FIR against a gas agency for allegedly overcharging a consumer by levying home delivery charges despite the customer collecting the LPG cylinder directly from the warehouse.The case was filed following a complaint by the district food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department, which termed the act illegal overcharging. According to officials, a complaint was received on March 31 regarding excess billing at the agency. A departmental team subsequently conducted an inspection. During the inspection, it was found that an employee of Bhupendra gas agency in Sirsa charged Rs 943 (home delivery rate) for a cylinder collected directly from the warehouse by Sukhdev Singh of Kirarkot village. The standard warehouse rate is Rs 907, indicating an overcharge of Rs 36 per cylinder. When questioned by the officials, the employee failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. The consumer left the premises at the time. Two days later, the consumer submitted a written complaint to the department, stating that his gas connection is registered with the agency. He alleged that when he visited the agency to collect the cylinder, he was asked to pay Rs 943. However, upon questioning the charge in the presence of a departmental official, the employee returned the excess Rs 36. Based on the findings, the police have initiated legal proceedings against the agency. Further investigation is under way.