Chandigarh: Big Bazaar charges Rs 19 for carry bag, fined Rs 100

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, June 22

It is the responsibility of the seller to bear all kind of expenses incurred in order to put goods into a deliverable state. Stating this, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, UT, has directed Big Bazaar to pay a compensation of Rs 100 to a consumer for charging Rs 19 for the carry bag. The commission also directed Big Bazaar to pay Rs1,100 as litigation cost to the consumer.

Niraj Kumar, a city resident, approached the commission alleging that Big Bazaar charged Rs19 for a carry bag against his wishes. The complainant claimed that he purchased goods from Big Bazaar. When he went to a billing counter and requested a carry bag, he was charged Rs19 for the same. When he objected to it and told the cashier that it was illegal to charge for the carry bag, the cashier replied that they charge for it as per rule.

The complainant alleged that the act of Big Bazaar amounts to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.

The counsel for Big Bazaar pleaded that the amount, which the complainant paid for the carry bag, was rightly charged. He claimed that the complainant had given his consent for a carry bag for an additional charge.

The commission rejected the arguments of Big Bazaar. It said all kinds of expenses incurred in order to put goods into a deliverable state should be borne by the seller.

The commission noted that big stores like the opposite party never allowed customers to carry bags within the store knowing very well that if they were allowed, then customers will not give consent for the purchase of carry bags. The opposite party is, therefore, taking advantage of its dominating position.

The commission said the opposite party had failed to produce on record any cogent, convincing and reliable piece of evidence in the shape of any rules/instructions authorising it to levy additional charge for carry bags from consumers.