Ludhiana, Aug 1 — The Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) to refund ₹1.76 lakh to Baljinder Singh, a resident of Rohno Khurd village, for failing to provide water and sewerage connections after handing over possession of a plot.
The order, passed by Commission President Daya Chaudhary and member Vishav Kant Garg, upheld a previous decision by the Ludhiana District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, rejecting LIT’s appeal.
Baljinder Singh had constructed a house as per the sanctioned plan and later applied for water and sewerage connections. However, there were no pipelines available at the site, rendering the property unusable. Despite this, the Trust reportedly penalized him for not completing construction on time.
In its defense, the Trust controversially claimed that “sewerage is not a basic amenity.” However, the commission cited a Housing and Urban Development Department notification, which clearly defines amenities to include sewerage, drainage, water supply, roads, parks, lighting, and other public utilities.
The Commission ordered LIT to pay the ₹1.76 lakh refund with 8% interest from the date of filing the complaint until full payment is made. An additional ₹20,000 was awarded to the complainant as composite costs, payable within 30 days of receiving the order.
The ruling noted that due to the absence of essential infrastructure, the complainant was unable to use his house, despite completing construction in compliance with the approved plan. The Commission criticized LIT’s failure to fulfill its obligations and termed its arguments as untenable in the face of statutory definitions and consumer rights.
