According to information ULB had approved Rs 50 each towards service charges for applying and uploading any service on NDC portal, whereas complaints were received that these consumer service centres (CSC) approved by the state government have started cheating consumers applying for the services and in most of the cases were found charging amount ranging between Rs 200 to 500 for uploading application on the portal instead of Rs 50 fixed by the government. Moreover, the organizers of these CSC were strictly instructed not to mention their mobile phone number on the application form and in case of any query the concerned department would refer to the applicant directly, but instruction were being disobeyed by CSC organizers for their self vested interest and they started charging the amount again from the consumers.
Meanwhile, Vikas Gupta Additional Chief Secretary Local Body Department while talking to media persons said that the aim for appointing CSC was to provide efficient services to the consumers, but large number of complaints against these centres from consumers are being received for over-charging amount towards applying, uploading application on the portal for any service by CSC organizers and the department is going to take strict action against the organizers of such centres leading to cancel their appointment since the aim to open these centres was to provide efficient services to the applicants not to harass and rob them. He made an appeal to the consumers not to pay extra amount for availing any service from the CSC than the prescribed charges Rs 50 approved by the government and in case of any inconvenience should contact Deepak Sura DMC Municipal Corporation at Ambala or the concerned officer in the Municipal Corporation or Committee their area when action will be taken against CSC organizer and their registration would stand cancelled. He warned CSC organizersnot to mention their mobile phone number on any related document, failing which action will be taken against them.
Information reveals that there are nearly 2000 registered CSC organizers to provide efficient services to the people in the area which include nearly 320 centres in twin city Ambala, 120 centres in Naraingarh and about 100 centres in Barara. Vikas Gupta Additional Chief Secretary said, the registration of those centres cheating the public by overcharging and providing effficient and erratic services will be cancelled with immediate effect since the aim of appointing such centres was to assist people providing immediate services not to harass them.
