B P SHARMA Vs. RAJA GAS AGENCY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal, under Section 15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is directed against the order dated 5.12.2001 in Complaint No. 34/2000, by District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ambikapur (hereinafter called the District Forum for short) dismissing the appellants complaint.

(2.) THE complainant alleged that he had obtained a cooking gas connection produced and supplied by respondent No. 2 Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, of which respondent No. 1 Raja Gas Agency is a dealer at Sarguja, Ambikapur. It was averred that the complainant was required to pay Rs. 1,300/ - for issuance of the said connection. However, receipt for only Rs. 450/ - was issued. It was further averred that though the price of the gas cylinder included the home delivery charges also, yet complainant/appellant was required to pay Rs. 10/ - for delivery for each cylinder, at his home. It was averred by the complainant that the respondent thus indulged in unfair trade practice and he accordingly claimed that compensation be awarded to him.

(3.) THE respondent No. 2 did not appear before the District Forum and did not partake in the proceedings of the complaint. Therefore, District Forum appears to have proceeded against respondent No. 2 ex parte.