Party chief and general manager of gas company in SW China's Chongqing dismissed for overcharging customers

Che Dechen, secretary of the Party committee and general manager of the Chongqing Gas Group Corporation, has been removed from his position after a joint investigation found local residents in Southwest China's Chongqing were overcharged for their gas by the company.

Residents from multiple districts in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality complained recently that their gas bills had increased significantly after they changed to new gas meters.

On April 13, the local authority announced that it had set up a joint investigation group to probe the problem.

During a press conference on Friday, the local authority announced that through on-site inspections, experimental testing, data comparison, experts' analysis and judgment, typical case verification, and other methods, the investigation team verified the situation and found that Chongqing Gas Group Corporation and other gas companies had indeed overcharged some residents for their gas.

According to the investigation, between January and April this year, mistakes on a total of 1,085 records led to excessive charges for 190,500 cubic meters of gas.

Other problems include chaotic gas billing cycles ranging from seven days to 13 months, disorganized work in changing gas meters, an insufficient workforce and lack of internal supervision and management.

The local authority ordered the gas companies to fully refund the residents the overcharged gas fees which were confirmed and identified through investigations.

In addition, 14 cases in which companies were found to have violated laws and regulations have been filed for investigation.

Che Dechen, secretary of the Party committee and general manager of the Chongqing Gas Group Corporation has been removed from his position.

Meanwhile, a work group has been deployed to the company to conduct a thorough rectification of the issues.

For the next step, the municipal authority will instruct the relevant department to enhance supervision and law enforcement to compel gas companies to improve their service and management.