Contractor fined Rs 7 lakh for 'defective services'
Thane: A contractor, who was given the tasks of fixing leakages, plastering and painting buildings in a housing society, has been directed to pay Rs 7 lakh fine to the society for rendering 'defective services'.
The Thane District Consumer Redressal Forum has given this order to the contractor.
The case relates to Sree Swami Samartha Co-op Housing Society in Kalyan constructed in 1999, which developed leakages and other problems. The repair work was given to Maximcon Association from Bhandup in 2006 at a cost of Rs 7 lakh, which included defect liability for five years.
However, despite the repair work, there were complaints of leakages in the society building. According to the society members, the paint also started peeling out. Despite informing the contractor about the problem, he did not respond, they said.
The society also got an audit of the work done by an auditor, who opined that the work was defective. Following this, the society approached the consumer forum.
In his submission, the contractor alleged that it was a "tactic" by the society to avoid additional payment for some extra work.