An unusual error by Sui Northern Gas officials has surfaced in the Dhamial area of Rawalpindi, where a daily wage laborer, Raja Allah Ditta, was issued an enormous gas bill amounting to Rs. 12,359,150.
According to the affected citizen, he supports himself and his family with a modest income and usually receives a bill ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000. However, the sudden receipt of such a large bill left him in shock.
Raja Allah Ditta said that he runs a small ice cream supply business and not only is it impossible for him to pay such an amount, but even selling all his household belongings would not cover it.
He further mentioned that on June 12, Sui Northern staff removed his meter, and afterward, this extraordinary bill was issued. The affected citizen has appealed to the Punjab government for immediate redress of this injustice.
Following public outrage over the incident, the Sui Gas department took notice. A spokesperson issued a clarification, stating that the bill was the result of a computer error. The spokesperson confirmed that the department is aware of the affected consumer’s case and, based on preliminary investigation, the amount stated in the bill was due to a system error. A formal inquiry is underway.
Later, the Sui Northern Gas spokesperson confirmed that Raja Allah Ditta’s bill has been corrected and a revised bill of Rs. 40,240 has been issued. According to SNGPL Rawalpindi General Manager Masam Abrar, the billing system is being further scrutinized to prevent such errors in the future.
