‘Additional’ charges levied for payment of bills via Sampark centres irk Chandigarh residents

However, users pointed out that for property tax (commercial) payments, Rs 50 plus taxes is charged online while the amount rises to Rs 100 plus taxes if paid offline. An amount of Rs 20 is charged for payment of electricity bills and all power-related services. For water and sewerage bills, Rs 5 is charged online and Rs 10 offline. The fee to process applications for college admissions and to deposit college fees is Rs 15 online and Rs 30 offline.

Ajay Jagga, former member of Chandigarh District Consumer Protection Cell, said he was surprised that he had to shell out money for “facilitation charges” on payment of power bills at Sampark centres. “While making the electricity bill payment, the Sampark official sought Rs 20 as facilitation charge and then asked for another Rs 20. On request, they also issued a receipt for the Rs 40 paid,” he said.

When asked, an official said that while the facilitation charge is Rs 20, payment in cash would lead to a further charge of Rs 20 for ‘cash collection’.

In a letter to the Union territory adviser Jagga said, “However issuing receipt will not make it correct or legal. As such it is requested that this additional fee of Rs 20/- on Rs 20/- may please be examined and the real charges/status of charges may please be declared publicly, in order to avoid any confusion.”

He also highlighted an additional charge of Rs 12 has to be paid on the purchase of stamp papers from Sampark centres. “A stamp paper of Rs 5/- (for affidavit) is costing RS. 17/- which is amazing. The facilitation charges are 240 per cent, that is Rs 12/- on Rs 5/-. Moreover, for a stamp paper of Rs 100 or 50 or 5, the facilitation charges are Rs 12/- which appears to be not rational,” he said. Terming the move illogical, Jagga – in another letter to the adviser – sought that the decision be reviewed. He said he was also surprised to find that the Sampark centres did not issue a receipt for Rs 12.

R K Garg, president of the Second Innings Association too has written to the Union territory authorities seeking waiver of the additional charges which he said was “unjustified”.

“These charges are absolutely not justified. Is it like to pay your power bill on time, are they penalising with this additional amount,” Garg told The Indian Express.