BERHAMPUR: The city office of the distributor of `Smart' mobile services in Ganjam district, a franchisee of the Reliance GSM network in Orissa had to close down its shutters following angry demonstration of customers on Tuesday.

Around 500 customers gathered in front of the centre at old bus stand square alleging that they were not being provided recharge vouchers worth Rs. 99 and Rs. 199 while it was being black-marketed throughout the city.

The local distributor tried to pacify the angry customers saying that the company recently replaced these two recharge vouchers with new ones of different denominations.

But the customers did not satisfy with his explanation. Having no way, the distributor had to pull down the shutters and call up the police.

According to sources, there are around 27,000 customers of Smart GSM mobile services in the city and around 23,000 of them are on life time schemes.

They cannot do away with their existing mobile connection easily.

Saroj Mohapatra, a user of Smart mobile services alleged that the Rs. 99 and 199 recharge vouchers were being sold at double price throughout the city and adjoining rural areas.

Mr. Mohapatra alleged that the company created artificial scarcity of these recharge vouchers.

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