5 days ago
Consumer Commission Orders Cold Storage to Compensate Farmer
A farmer put 49 bags of potato seeds in a government-run cold storage.
The storage was supposed to keep the seeds at the right temperature.
The temperature was not maintained properly, so many of the potatoes sprouted.
A horticulture report said 75% to 77% of the seeds had sprouted.
The farmer said the damaged seeds could no longer be used properly.
The cold storage argued that sprouted potatoes could still be planted and that its contract excluded responsibility for equipment problems.
The consumer commissions disagreed and said the storage had a duty to keep the seeds safe.
The national commission ordered the facility to pay the farmer Rs 44,790.
The NCDRC upheld compensation of Rs 44,790 for a farmer whose potato seeds spoiled in a state-owned cold storage.
The farmer had stored 49 bags of potato seeds, which reportedly sprouted by 75% to 77%.
The compensation included Rs 34,300 for the seeds, Rs 490 in storage advance, and Rs 10,000 for mental agony and litigation costs.
The commission rejected the facility’s argument that sprouted potatoes could still be planted and that its contract excluded liability for refrigeration failures.
The NCDRC called the liability exemption unfair and said cold storages must protect goods entrusted to them.
- Who
- A farmer and a state-owned cold storage facility; the case was decided by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
- What
- The NCDRC upheld an order requiring the cold storage to pay Rs 44,790 for spoiled potato seeds and related losses.
- Where
- At a state-owned cold storage facility; the specific location is not stated.
- When
- The NCDRC issued its order on August 18; the year is not specified.
- Why
- The potato seeds spoiled after the facility failed to maintain the required storage temperature.
Farmer and Consumer Commissions
Cold Storage Facility
Responsibility for spoilage
Farmer and Consumer Commissions
The facility had a duty to preserve the stored seeds and was responsible because the required temperature was not maintained.
Cold Storage Facility
The facility argued that its storage terms excluded liability for losses caused by refrigeration breakdowns, gas leaks, or electricity failures.
Effect of sprouting
Farmer and Consumer Commissions
The commissions found that the sprouted potatoes were not suitable for consumption and that the farmer suffered a loss.
Cold Storage Facility
The facility cited a Haryana Agriculture University report stating that sprouted potatoes could still be planted and argued that the farmer had suffered no loss.
Validity of storage terms
Farmer and Consumer Commissions
The NCDRC ruled that the liability exemption was unfair, unilaterally decided, and could not bind the farmer.
Cold Storage Facility
The facility relied on its stated terms and conditions to contest legal responsibility for the damaged seeds.
Key facts
- Compensation
- Rs 44,790
- Stored produce
- 49 bags of potato seeds
- Reported damage
- 75% to 77% of the seeds had sprouted
- Seed value awarded
- Rs 34,300
- Storage advance refunded
- Rs 490
- Additional compensation
- Rs 10,000 for mental agony and litigation expenses
- Decision-maker
- National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Quotes
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission bench
The NCDRC bench comprising Presiding Member Inder Jit Singh and Member Shashi Nandkeolyar.
“It is the duty of the petitioner organization (cold storage) herein to ensure that the stored goods in the refrigeration plant are safe/remain preserved, otherwise, why the farmers will come forward for storing their produce/seeds in their plant.”
indianexpress.com
“The cold storage did not function at the required level for a certain period”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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