GUJRANWALA, Feb 22: A large number of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited domestic consumers on Wednesday demonstrated outside the SNGPL’s main office here to protest against the inflated gas bills they received for the month of January.

Alleging that there gas meters were replaced without any prior information causing a considerable increase in their bills, they demanded a probe against meter readers and contractors concerned.

Abdullah Khalid of Ghakkhar Town said the gas meter at his Railway Road residence was replaced by the meter reader and contractor without informing him. Later he received a Rs3,000 bill for the month of December and an equal bill again for the month of January. He claimed that before meter replacement his bill did not exceed Rs800 or Rs900 for these months during the winter season.

Another consumer Mistri Hafeez said his gas meter was also removed without any prior information despite payment of bill.

Another consumer, Sufi Nasir, complained that he received Rs2,000 gas bill for January which was Rs200 for the moth in the previous season.

The affected consumers alleged that meter readers and contractors were in league to fleece the consumers, demanding action against them.

However, SNGPL general manager claimed that the gas use usually increased in winter which resulted in raised bills, while the enhanced gas tariff might also be a reason for this.

BAIL REJECTED: A woman and her lover were arrested when a court rejected their bail in a murder case here on Wednesday.