Retail store charges for carry bags, told to pay Rs 10,000 relief

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 21

The District Consumer Redressal Forum in its recent judgment has directed a retail store in the city to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to a city resident for charging Rs 7.20 for two carry bags.

In the judgment delivered by the forum, it was mentioned that Easyday Club, near Gurjeet Nagar, Garha Road, was penalised as there was no provision to charge for carry bags rather it is the fundamental duty of the seller to provide bags to consumers for carrying commodities, without any charges. However, employees at the store have not only committed a grave negligence but also did an unfair trade practice by charging money for carry bags.

The complainant, Jyoti Arora (46), a resident of Choti Baradari, mentioned in her complaint that in June last year, she had visited the store and made to pay for the carry bags. When she refused to pay for the same, the worker sitting at the cash counter allegedly misbehaved with her and blatantly told her that if she dared to take any action, she would face dire consequences. To which she approached the manager but to no avail. Subsequently, she approached the forum on July 12, 2019, and registered a complaint against the store owners and managers.

She alleged that she was humiliated and harassed for questioning the charges levied on shopping bags. She demanded Rs 1 lakh as compensation and litigation expenses of Rs 33,000.

Later, hearing the arguments of both parties, the forum bench comprising President Karnail Singh and member Jyotsna concluded that the store was at fault for indulging in unfair trade practices and while referring previous cases averred that the complainant was entitled to receive the compensation and directed the store owners to pay her the compensation of Rs 10,000, inclusive of litigation expenses.