Reader’s issue resolved

Payment excess
I have been holding an Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) credit card since 2009. In June 2011, I lost my card when my wallet was stolen while travelling. At the time, instead of requesting a duplicate card, I decided to cancel the card itself as the bank charges had been too high.
When I called the call centre, they informed me that I had to pay a certain amount to clear the balance on the card. I informed them that this amount was higher than my last credit card statement, but they assured me that this was because of interest rates that may have come in. Accordingly, I paid the due amount to the bank and cancelled my ADCB card.
Since July 2011, when I cancelled my card, I have received two statements. Both statements have shown an excess amount of Dh16.91 on my card. When I called the call centre to resolve this matter and to enquire how I could get the extra amount back, their solution was I should pay an amount of Dh75, and then they would prepare a draft for the said amount and mail it to me.
I explained to them repeatedly that the amount due to me is Dh16.91, so by that logic why would I pay Dh75 to get this amount back, which, by the way, rightfully belongs to me and was paid to them because they asked me to? To this, the explanation I got from the customer service agent was that the bank usually informs the customers to pay a higher amount to close their cards as they have “no idea” how much the interest charges would be. And if there is any excess amount left, then this is the only way to get it. I even offered to go to the branch in Al Rigga to collect the money in cash as I had cleared my balance in cash, but they did not accept that.
So, now the only way I can get my money back is if I pay a higher amount. Logically I will not do it, so the only other option in front of me is to forget about the Dh17 and give it to the bank. If it was the other way round, if I owed the bank Dh17, they would keep putting interest upon interest until I paid up both the interest and the initial amount. I would much appreciate any help I can get in resolving this matter, as there is no other way of getting through to the credit card division of ADCB.
From Ms Kavita D’silva
Dubai

The management of ADCB responds:
Please be advised that our customers are important to us and to enable problem solving for them, we have devoted a Service Quality Unit that handles all customers’ issues and complaints. Our customers are free to contact us on the Toll Free number at 800 2030; or call collect +97126210090 from outside UAE; or they can visit our website (www.adcb.com) from where they will be able to log their complaints, commendation or suggestions. Please advise readers/complainants to contact us through these available channels.
Please note that the issue has been investigated and resolved. The customer has been contacted and informed of our feedback and the case is now closed.

Ms D’silva responds:
I would like to thank Gulf News for their help in resolving this matter. It was amazing to get an immediate response to my mail from Gulf News and then to receive a resolution of matters from ADCB. Earlier, despite several attempts, I had been unable to get a satisfactory response from the ADCB customer service number as listed by them. But after Gulf News’ intervention and help the matter was resolved and ADCB transferred the money owed to me to my account. This is indeed a much-needed service that Gulf News is providing to us readers.

Editor’s note: If you have similar consumer complaints and wish to raise them with
the newspaper, write to us via email at readers@gulfnews.com

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AC does it: Cooling bill raises heat

DUBAI: Air conditioning bills are usually directly proportional to the weather. As the mercury comes down, one would expect the cooling bills to come down too. But in The Gardens the opposite happened.

From Dh662 in November 2011, Briton Nahraan Suzy Dillon's bills jumped to Dh1,449 in nippy December when temperatures in Dubai were hovering around 16 degrees Celsius.

Horrified by the 118 per cent increase, Dillon has joined a chorus of Dubai residents fuming over the ‘obscure calculation' of the cooling charges.

Dillon, who lives in a three-bedroom apartment in The Gardens, also owns a one-bedroom unit in Discovery Gardens.

Here too the cooling charges spiked sharply. She was billed a total of Dh3,771.68 for nine months from January 1, 2010 to September 30, 2010 - an average of Dh419 per month. But for the same period the following year, she was billed Dh6,379 - or about Dh530 per month.

"The pro-rata hike in charges is around 70 per cent. These bills are for the winter months when practically there has been no use of air-conditioners. I live alone and have a full-time job, there is absolutely no reason for such high increase in bills," she said.

Residents in other communities are also losing their cool over steep district cooling rates.

Mohammad Metwally, Chairman, Interim Owners Association (IOA) at Al Seef Tower 2 in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), said: "For our building, we have seen a 50 per cent increase in cooling charges in 2011 compared to 2010. We are still finalising the audit for last year, but I can say that we have incurred an operating loss due to this massive hike."

He said additional capacity charges have increased the burden for district cooling consumers.

He called for the government to regulate the industry to protect consumers. "We need a regulatory body to monitor rates [charged] on customers. The body must review and approve contracts to ensure a balance between utility companies and consumers' interests."

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UAE is the cleanest country in the GCC

Dubai: The UAE has the cleanest environment in the GCC and it achieved this status within a short period of time, according to the World Environmental Performance Index (EPI) released recently.

The biennial survey, carried out by the prestigious Yale University in collaboration with Columbia University, ranks countries from across the world based on 22 performance indicators in ten policy categories.

This year, only 132 countries made the cut, with Switzerland topping the chart, followed by Latvia, Norway, Luxembourg and Costa Rica in the top five.

Though ranked 77, the UAE is the top-ranked GCC country, followed closely by Saudi Arabia, which is ranked 82. Among the Arab countries the UAE is number two, only behind Egypt, which is ranked 60. Other GCC countries that feature in the list are: Qatar (100), Oman (110) and Kuwait (126).

Not surprisingly, this is the best ranking for the UAE, which was ranked 152 — the poorest rating — and 112 in 2010 and 2008 respectively.

‘Fantastic result'

The journey from the worst to one of the most improved countries in just a couple of years seems surprising, but for those who have dedicated their lives to environmental causes in the country, it has been a hard-earned and much deserved achievement.

"The ranking is a fantastic result and great news for the country, but it hasn't happened overnight. It's been due for a long time as the groundwork has been going on for years.

"This is more like the way bamboo shoots work, once planted they remain underground for months together, but suddenly in four weeks it grows several metres," said Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), who is excited by the country's environmental achievement.

Though still far behind the more clean nations of the world, the UAE features impressively at 27 in the EPI Trend ranking, a new tool launched this year to measure the environmental trends in different countries.

According to Habiba, the trend ranking is an indicator of the way things are shaping up in the country.

Playing a big role

"This reflects well on the kind of foundation we have built, the UAE leadership is really serious about its environmental credentials. The society is aware and participating now, the private sector is playing a big role, the education sector is giving a lot of space to environment in its curriculum and slowly things are getting better, and I believe we will continue to improve our performance in the future," added Habiba, highlighting the key factors behind the UAE's improved performance.

The rankings take into account performances of countries in 10 major categories including: Environmental Burden of Disease, Water (Effects on Human Health), Air Pollution (Effects on Human Health), Air Pollution (Ecosystem Effects), Biodiversity and Habitat, Forestry, Fisheries, Agriculture, Climate Change and Water Resources (Ecosystem Effects).

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Man says he was mentally ill when he stabbed girlfriend

Dubai: A businessman has denied attempting to stab his girlfriend to death and claimed in court yesterday he was unaware of what happened because he was on medication.

Prosecutors accused the 39-year-old businessman, A.K., of premeditatedly attempting to murder his 27-year-old girlfriend, N.B., and leaving her with a ten per cent permanent disability.

"I don't recall what happened on that day at all. I suffer from a mental illness and was on medication… Police had detained me for while and when I was brought in for questioning, I was informed about what I did. I was not aware of what I did on that day," said A.K., an Emirati, when he defended himself before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

Swift intervention

Prosecutors accused A.K. of stabbing N.B. with a knife with the intention of killing her. Swift medical intervention helped save her. A.K. was also charged with threatening to kill three men if they told the police he stabbed N.B.

The housemaid said she and A.K. had been having a relationship for two years.

"I used to go to his place where we chatted and had consensual sex."

She said on that day they had a heated argument and she fled from him. Records said she hid outside his villa for nearly 90 minutes and when A.K. saw her he stabbed her in the head.

The trial continues.

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More than 4,200 illegal workers in Dubai arrested

Dubai: The Dubai Municipality has nabbed 4,200 illegal workers including beggars, street vendors, butchers and car washers last year, said a senior official.

Municipality inspectors also seized some 78,765 pirated pornographic films in addition to carts for vegetables and alcoholic drink bottles.

The operation was conducted with the cooperation of the Dubai Police and the Department of Residence and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai.

Engineer Obaid Ebrahim Al Marzouqi, Head of Markets Section, said: "We have a dedicated team working around the clock to catch offenders."

Al Marzouqi said that the number of illegal vendors and beggars in the emirate increased during Ramadan.

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Abu Dhabi student scoops top honour

Abu Dhabi: Swetha Ganesan enjoyed the subject at school, but it was not something she was particularly passionate about.

So it was a great shock when the 18-year-old learnt she had not only attained an A* in her A-level business examination, but that her score had actually placed her first in the Cambridge International Examinations' global ranks.

"When the results were released [on August 18], I actually got a call from the examination board but I thought it was a prank and didn't take it seriously. It was only after I went to the school to check my grade I found out it was actually true," Swetha, an Indian expatriate, said.

"Even though it's been a few months since I found out, it still hasn't quite sunk in… my parents wanted to get me a gift but I'm not sure if I'll take them up on that offer since I can't think of anything I'd like. My friends and I celebrated though, they gave me a big hug because they were so proud of me."

University life

The former Cambridge High School pupil added she had also got an A* in history and an A in IT.

"Since history is a big passion of mine I thought that subject would be the one I would receive top grades in but I'm so amazed that I was able to get the highest score, especially since I worked hard to do well in that subject," she said.

Despite her achievement, Swetha, who is in her first year at Nottingham University in the UK, revealed she is pursuing a degree in law.

"I knew I wanted to study law since I was in the ninth grade…I had considered pursuing a degree in history but I was worried about the limited career options… I may consider going into business law in the future."

The youngest of triplets, her sister Shruti is studying fashion design in Dubai, and her brother, Viraj, is studying dentistry in India. Swetha added she was looking forward to returning to university life.

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Mechanic admits to stealing 6,000 bullets

Dubai: A mechanic admitted yesterday that he stole 6,000 bullets from a shooting club in Jebel Ali and gave them to a military pilot.

Prosecutors said the 32-year-old Pakistani mechanic abused his position to access the shooting club, steal the bullets from the ammunition storage room of one of the shooters in the club and took them in a sports bag.

An Emirati major pilot, O.M., 35, was charged with aiding and abetting the Pakistani.

"I am guilty. Yes I stole the bullets," A.A., 32, was heard telling the Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday.

"I am not guilty," said O.M. when he defended himself before Presiding Judge Al Saeed Mohammad Barghout in courtroom nine.

Abetment

According to the arraignment sheet, A.A. stole 5,000 .22mm bullets and 1,000 9mm bullets. O.M. was charged aiding and abetting A.A. and inciting him to steal the bullets.

An Emirati police first lieutenant testified that the shooting club reported to the Operation Room that the bullets were stolen. "The club's management discovered that 6,000 bullets were missing shortly after they made an inventory. The mechanic had permission to access the storage room because he worked for a club member.

"We suspected him immediately because he was spotted on the surveillance cameras entering the room several times. Police raided his house in Nad Al Sheba and arrested him. Initially he denied stealing the bullets… but later he admitted that he took the bullets for the sake of O.M. Police found in his car 2,000 bullets," said the first lieutenant.

The first lieutenant told prosecutors: "O.M. admitted during questioning that A.A. went to his house and gave him a handbag full of bullets.

A present

He claimed that the Pakistani told him it was a present and so he paid him Dh1,000 to help him. The Emirati alleged that he gave some of the bullets to his nephew.

Meanwhile, he kept the remaining bullets for training." Court records said O.M. returned 4,000 bullets to the shooting club.

The trial continues.

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Indian expats celebrate winning the right to vote

Dubai: Indian community leaders across the UAE describe their government's decision to allow non-resident Indians (NRIs) to vote as "historic" and said the move would strengthen democracy and allow the diaspora to voice its issues more effectively.

But they said the decision needed more publicity — and that the government should ensure that people were able to vote from their countries of residence, rather than having to travel back to India to cast their ballot.

"It is a very significant decision and every Indian must vote," said K.V. Shamsudeen, chairman of Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust. "Of the 1.3 billion population that India has, more than 25 million live in different countries across the world, which highlights the importance of the diaspora. I feel it is a very good decision to give them a right to participate in the election process."

Immense benefit

"It is a historic moment, a great decision. We can now voice our issues much strongly and everyone should participate. It is an opportunity to strengthen our democracy.

"The NRI community will benefit immensely from getting voting rights as they would feel they are a part of the political system and are closer to their country," said Nissar Thalangara, general secretary of the Indian Association Sharjah.

Tasleem Karmali, a Dubai-based special educationist, said: "I remember when I lived in India and had such strong enthusiasm to vote, I would even encourage other people to go and cast their votes and proudly flaunt the ink mark after the voting.

"The feeling that I can be a part of that process makes me feel that I am closely connected to my homeland.

"Many of our children hardly visit India and parents always want them to be connected to their roots. I feel allowing NRIs to vote would also contribute to bringing the future generations closer to their roots."

Kamal Vachani, director of Al Maya Group, described similar feelings. "As an NRI I am very delighted and thankful to the government for this move.

"I have voted in general elections and have been missing the opportunity all these years. With this, I feel that even though I live away from my home land, I am more involved in whatever is happening in my country."

Jonia Mathew, honorary president of the Indian Ladies' Association, Abu Dhabi, who is also a board member of Abu Dhabi Indian School, said: "I would like to applaud the Indian government for fulfilling this promise, which was long overdue.

"This decision will go a long way in making the Indian diaspora spread across the globe feel important."

Good response

While the process and other details regarding the voting process are still awaited, expatriates emphasised that it is equally important to generate good response for voting.

"They should have something like voting centres so as to make it easier for the NRIs to vote. Although I am sure each one of us would like to cast our vote it may not be practical or feasible for all of us to travel back home," said Mathew.

Hassle free voting would ensure good response, said Shamsudeen. "We recently saw that the response to elections in Kerala was not very encouraging. Taking a cue from that, the process needs to be easy.

"Given the previous experience with state elections, I feel there should be a system that allows us to vote from here. Perhaps something like a biometric identification and online registration and voting. If the process is easy and smooth, the response would be good."

Corruption

Regarding Indians who question whether voting would contribute toward resolving national issues like corruption, Vachani said: "Each person should exercise their right to vote as that is how they can contribute to improvements."

Shamsudeen added: "Not voting is not a solution. By doing so, we are clearing the way for the corrupt even more. Things will change gradually and we have witnessed how changes have happened in time due to efforts of people who are aware."

View the original article here

Property fraud: 'This is my home, but I can't enter'

Dubai: In a shocking case of property fraud, an Indian resident in Dubai has been locked out of his own apartment that was sold to someone else while he was travelling.

Businessman Mohammad Waliullah Sameer bought the one-bedroom apartment in International City from Kyrgyz national Emil Ryskulov for Dh690,000 at the height of the real estate boom in May 2008.

Ryskulov was represented by his power of attorney Sianat Arynova and the purchase was made through Port Real Estate, a real estate firm in Bur Dubai.

Sameer, 30, got the keys to the England Cluster apartment along with copies of the contract from developer Nakheel and a receipt for his payment.

In November 2008, the real estate firm also gave him the apartment's original title deed. Secure in the belief that everything was falling in place, Sameer got the apartment furnished and moved into it with his wife and children in April 2009. All he needed to do now was to transfer the property in his name.

But there was a hitch. Ryskulov and Aynova suddenly went missing and the Land Department refused to transfer the property to Sameer's name unless they heard from either of them.

"I didn't know what to do so I went to Port Real Estate who sold me the property. It was a futile effort. Their office had shut down and its owners had gone absconding," said Sameer.

But the worst was yet to come. During one of his many runs to the Land Department between 2009 and 2010 he bumped into Dinara, 34, a former sales agent at Port Real Estate.

"I thought my prayers had finally been answered. Dinara was a Kyrgyz national and had facilitated the sale. He knew Ryskulov. So I asked her to put me in touch with him."

It was a mistake he will always regret. "Dinara said she was heading for Krygyzstan and would look for Ryskulov. She said once she finds Ryskulov she will ask for a power of attorney for the apartment. I agreed to give her Dh5,000 for her services," he said.

After that Sameer went to India to look after his business interests but he remained in regular touch with Dinara until November last year. "She would call me and sent text messages asking for money and I used to tell her: ‘First get me the power of attorney'. Suddenly she stopped taking my calls. I found it fishy but nothing had prepared me for the shock when I came to Dubai recently and visited my apartment. "I put in the door key but it just didn't work. At first I thought it was because of rust or something so I kept on trying. A horrific realisation then dawned on me. I looked closely. The lock had been changed. Here was I - the real house owner with the real keys - locked out of my own house. It was a weird feeling."

Shocked beyond belief, Sameer rushed to the Land Department on January 4 where an even greater jolt awaited him. His apartment had been sold off to Pakistani Ghulam Mustafa Memon by Dinara through a power of attorney of Ryskulov. Since then Dinara's phone has remained switched off.

On January 8, Memon, who bought the 914 square foot apartment for a little over Dh250,000 got its title deed transferred to his name. The same day Sameer lodged a complaint with the public prosecution seeking criminal action against Port Real Estate, Memon and Dinara for cheating and fraud. "It looks like they used a forged power of attorney. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought that I would be fighting a case of house grabbing in Dubai. I bought this apartment with my hard-earned money. My wife and I spent days furnishing it. Now everything is gone — not just the house but its entire belongings worth several thousand dirhams. I want justice," he said.

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Cheetah, Baby Lions, tiger cubs, Leopard and Fennec foxes for sale

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BABY SITTING AVAILABLE

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exotic animals for sale at good prices with python snakes too

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TIGER CUBS,LION CUBS,JAGUAR CUB,CHEETAH CUBS AND FENNEC FOX FOR SALE

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nice border collie pups for sale

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WTS:Apple Iphone 5 32GB,Apple Iphone 4G 32GB,Apple Ipad 2 3G 64GB with wi-fi,Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000 3G GPS

Brand new authentic mobile phones available for sale, brand new unlocked, can work with any network of your choice.

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For sale: Canon EOS 7D, Nikon D7000, Nikon D90,Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Brand new Digital cameras original made in Japan with 2 years warranty and can be claimed world-wide.

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Canon EOS Rebel T2i ... $ 350
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milkish pomeranian puppy for your home

IMPORTANT! * Please make appropriate investigation before doing any transaction with individuals/ organizations you find through this website.
* Never provide your personal or banking information with your classified ads or through email.
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Pop Cavalier King Charles puppies ready to go now for re-homing,

IMPORTANT! * Please make appropriate investigation before doing any transaction with individuals/ organizations you find through this website.
* Never provide your personal or banking information with your classified ads or through email.
* Classi4UAE.com will not be responsible or liable for any such loss.
* Please report any suspicious postings, emails, or other activities at Contact Us page.

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Custom Magento Development

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