Charging Rs14 for carry bag costs Vishal Mega Mart Rs20K

Mohali, July 2

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mohali, has imposed a penalty of Rs20,000 on Vishal Mega Mart in Phase V for charging Rs14 for a carry bag from a consumer.

Commission president Sanjiv Dutt and member Inderjit ordered the firm to refund Rs14 to the complainant within 30 days, along with consolidated amount of compensation for harassment and litigation cost to the complainant to the tune of Rs1,000.

The commissioner observed: “We feel that the carry bag is definitely a part and parcel of the sale and the store had no legal or moral right to charge extra amount for the carry bag in addition to the price of the articles purchased. Further, we are imposing punitive/exemplary cost to the tune of Rs20,000 on the store to refrain from such acts.”

Preeti Kalia, a resident of Sector 23-D, Chandigarh, had averred that she visited Vishal Mega Mart with her husband on March 23, 2019, and was charged Rs14 extra for the carry bag/paper bag. — TNS