Sambalpur consumer forum orders contractor to pay ₹24L for substandard work
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Sambalpur has ruled in favor of a complainant, Abani Kumar Sahu, and ordered a contractor, Saroj Kumar Nath, to pay Rs 24 lakh as compensation for substandard work. The commission also directed Nath to pay an additional Rs 20,000 to cover the complainant’s litigation expenses. The case revolves around an agreement made between Sahu and Nath on April 4, 2022, for the construction of a building. The fixed cost was Rs 49,94,300, and Sahu had partly self-funded the work while also obtaining a loan of Rs 25 lakh from Utkal Grameen Bank.
Sahu alleged that he had paid Rs 30 lakh to the contractor through NEFT funds transfer, but Nath abruptly ceased work on October 30, 2022, and failed to address the defects in the building’s construction, such as a leaking roof and substandard materials. Despite the complainant’s repeated complaints, the contractor stopped work after completing the core structure of the ground floor and the wall up to the lintel level of the first floor.
Aggrieved by the contractor’s unfair trade practices, Sahu filed a complaint on December 26, 2022, and the commission ordered Nath to complete the building by March 28, 2023. However, the contractor failed to comply. During the case proceedings, two engineers proposed as witnesses by both parties were examined. The commission found that Nath had taken money in advance without fulfilling the agreement terms and overcharged an amount of Rs 1,60,000 based on the built-up area. As a result, the forum ordered the contractor to refund Rs 1,60,000 to Sahu with a 9% interest rate from March 28, 2023. In case of non-payment, interest on the amount will increase to 12% until it’s fully paid.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission’s ruling is expected to set a precedent for holding contractors accountable for substandard work and abandoning projects midway. It also serves as a reminder to consumers to be cautious while entering into agreements and to seek legal assistance when faced with unethical business practices.
The complainant, Abani Kumar Sahu, expressed relief following the commission’s decision, stating, I am glad that the consumer forum recognized the injustice I had faced. This order reaffirms the importance of consumer rights and serves as a deterrent to unscrupulous contractors who take advantage of customers.
The contractor, Saroj Kumar Nath, argued that Sahu consistently underpaid, causing delays in payment and baselessly raising complaints about the work and labor quality. However, the commission’s findings supported Sahu’s claims of substandard work and unfair trade practices.
With this ruling, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission aims to protect consumers and ensure that contractors fulfill their obligations and deliver quality workmanship. The authorities encourage consumers to be vigilant and exercise their rights if they encounter similar issues in the future.
This case highlights the significance of seeking legal recourse when faced with contractual disputes and serves as a reminder for contractors to fulfill their obligations to deliver satisfactory results.
