SHEIKHUPURA, April 3: An unprecedented hike in the Sui Gas bills was slammed by a large number of consumers who had come to the Sui Northern Gas PipeLines (SNGPL) office at Civil Lines to get their grievances redressed here on Saturday.

Najma Riaz, who had come from the Warburton village some 40km away from here, told this reporter that she was billed Rs6,400 despite the fact that her last bill amounted to Rs400 only and there was no geyser or heater in her house.

Similarly, the gas bill of Boota Tahir, resident of a Ghanj Road street, had increased from Rs330 to Rs1,840 and that of Haji Ashraf of Sheesh Mehal Colony from Rs370 to Rs1,480. Mr Ashraf alleged that bills were prepared without reading the meters.

The elderly Anwar Bibi from Joinawala Mor said she was not delivered the bill at home. When she came to get it from the office, she was surprised to find that the bill, which usually ranged from Rs250 to 400, had somehow soared to Rs2,500.

Senior Engineer Abdul Salam, in charge of the office, said he was only supposed to check the attendance of employees. The bills were prepared by the billing department in Lahore and distributed by a contractor, he added.

The consumers claimed that the officer did not let anybody enter his office.

They urged the Ministry of Natural Resources to send them their bills at least a week before the due date.