Mangaluru: Denied Rs 150 bill, man sues gas centre

BENGALURU: Denied a receipt for Rs 150 he had paid towards repair of his gas stove, a 38-year-old Mangaluru man approached a consumer court, which directed the service provider to pay him Rs 15,000 towards compensation and court expenses.
The forum also ordered the stove be returned to the man along with the compensation. Vinay Mayya had taken his damaged gas stove to Shiva Gas Service Centre in Arkula, Mangaluru, in December-end last year. Later, he discussed details pertaining to the stove repair with a service centre employee and paid a visit on December 23 to collect it. But Mayya claimed he was asked to pay Rs 850 despite the problem not being fixed fully.
Expressing displeasure over the charges, Mayya returned the next day. But he was told the part which had been fixed was removed as Mayya was unhappy with the fee and he could take the stove after paying Rs 150. Enraged with the firm’s response, the Mangalurean demanded he be given a proper break-up through a bill, including GST, for Rs 150. But the staff didn’t accept his demand and declined to return his stove too.
In January 2020, Mayya approached the Mangalore Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum with a complaint against Shiva Gas Service Centre. He produced all documents pertaining to the case and argued in person that he was denied a detailed bill with GST and wasn’t even returned the stove. Since the opposite party remained absent for the proceedings, the case was considered ex parte.