Primus Telecom, agent firm directed to pay Rs 50K to client

A consumer forum here has directed Primus Telecommunications India Ltd and its agent firm, which provide internet conenctivity, to pay Rs 50,000 to a man for "deficiency" in service.
The New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, presided by C K Chaturvedi, asked the telecom company and its agent firm, Hotwire, to pay the money to Faridabad resident Shyam Sachdev, noting that both firms were shifting the "liability" on each other.
"An individual or business house or any corporate can avail the services of Opposite Party.
"It is a joint venture of OP1 (Primus Telecommunications India Ltd) and OP2 (Hotwire) to provide internet service to consumers whenever any problem is averted," the forum said.

"OP1 shifts the liability to OP2 and vice versa. It is clear case of deficiency on the part both OPs. Consequently complainant suffered," the forum's bench, also comprising its members S R Chaudhary and Ritu Garodia, said.
Sachdev had told the forum that he had taken internet connection from the firm, the authorised agent of company, to provide technical support to him through international satellite gateways and alternative fibrs connectivity.

He had opted 'gold plan' by paying Rs 2,750 and used to make the payments for user charges. However, suddenly he received double billing during January 2005.
After Sachdev approached the telecommunications company, it referred the matter to its agent firm. However, ultimately Hotwire changed telephone and even after a lot of efforts made by Sachdev, nothing came out, he said, adding that he had to ultimately file a complaint with the forum.

The firms, however, submitted before forum that Sachdev had availed their services for commercial purposes.