Has your telecom service provider ever been deficient in service? If yes, move to the Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, present your case and if the forum holds the SP guilty for lack in services, you could be granted compensation.
This is precisely what S Sornalatha of Thoothukudi did. And the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum in Thoothukudi has directed Airtel Telecommunications to pay Rs 55,000 as compensation for causing agony to the petitioner.
Sornalatha, installed an Airtel broadband connection at her home on February 17, 2011, by depositing Rs 5000. While installation, Airtel at Thoothukudi promised to change her scheme from Rs 699 per month to Rs 499 pm, that gives extra benefits.
Despite sending several representations to change the scheme, Airtel failed to take any steps, forcing Sornalatha to cancel the broadband connection. On May 18, 2011 Sornalatha cleared all dues, verified the same with Airtel and surrendered the telephone connection.
However, she continue to received bills from Airtel till September, inspite of apology and assurance of no such error in future. After sending more than two legal notices, Sornalatha sought the aid of the Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum.
Denying the charges, Airtel contended that the consumer forum had no jurisdiction to decide disputes relating to telephone services.
Dismissing Airtel’s contentions, the forum directed Airtel not to send any telephone bills henceforth to the petitioner, apart from asking it to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation of the petitioner and Rs 5,000 towards the cost of proceedings, within two months.