OVER the last more than two years, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has gained the unique distinction of regularly charging monthly bills from the ‘previous’ consumers, without supplying the gas and without any remorse. On an earlier complaint (Consumer No: 2894430000 [4]), no action has to date been taken by SSGC.

However, I continue to receive monthly bills citing fixed charges, which have been increased from Rs940 per month to Rs1,140 starting this month. Last month, SSGC laid out a new pipeline in front of my house without making it operative. I wonder whether sufficient supply of gas will be made available if and when the connection is provided. In the meantime, I have to put up with the trauma of buying a gas cylinder for Rs4,000 from the market.

As such, SSGC should at least suspend imposing ‘fixed charges’ on customers till the gas supply gets restored. In my experience, never have the providers of utilities to domestic consumers been so unresponsive as well as lethargic.

Parvez Rahim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2024