5 hrs ago
Andhra Commission Orders Rs 7 Lakh Damages Over Water Overcharge
A customer bought a water bottle at a temple in Andhra Pradesh.
The bottle said it should cost no more than Rs 18.
The shop allegedly charged the customer Rs 25 instead.
The shop said the money was for a cool drink and biscuits, not the water.
The commission believed the customer because payment records, photographs and video supported the complaint.
It said charging above the printed price was unfair to consumers.
The shop must return Rs 7 and pay other costs and compensation.
It must also pay Rs 7 lakh to a consumer fund to discourage similar practices.
An Andhra Pradesh consumer commission found a shop charged Rs 25 for a water bottle marked with an Rs 18 MRP.
The commission ordered the shop to refund Rs 7, pay Rs 10,000 compensation and Rs 5,000 in litigation costs.
It also imposed Rs 7 lakh in punitive damages, to be deposited with the Consumer Welfare Fund.
The shop claimed the Rs 25 payment covered a cool drink and biscuits, but did not provide electronic billing records or CCTV footage.
The complaint against the temple’s executive officer was dismissed because no evidence showed the administration authorised or encouraged overcharging.
- Who
- A customer, a temple shop operator and the temple’s executive officer were involved; the Andhra Pradesh consumer commission issued the order.
- What
- The commission ordered the shop to pay Rs 7 lakh in punitive damages, refund Rs 7 and pay compensation and litigation costs for allegedly charging above MRP.
- Where
- At a shop on temple premises in Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- Recently; the article does not provide the order’s date.
- Why
- The commission found that charging Rs 25 for a bottle marked Rs 18 constituted an unfair trade practice and could affect many consumers.
Customer and Commission
Shop Operator and Temple Administration
What the Rs 25 payment covered
Customer and Commission
The customer said he paid Rs 25 for a one-litre water bottle marked with an Rs 18 MRP, supported by payment records, photographs and video recordings.
Shop Operator and Temple Administration
The shop operator said the Rs 25 covered a Rs 20 cool drink and a Rs 5 biscuit packet, rather than the water bottle.
Responsibility for the conduct
Customer and Commission
The commission held the shop responsible for an unfair trade practice and said substantial punitive damages were needed to deter repeat overcharging.
Shop Operator and Temple Administration
The temple’s executive officer said the shop was independently operated by a licensee, and the commission dismissed the complaint against the administration for lack of evidence that it authorised or encouraged overcharging.
Key facts
- Printed MRP
- Rs 18 for a one-litre packaged drinking water bottle
- Amount charged
- Rs 25
- Excess amount
- Rs 7
- Punitive damages
- Rs 7 lakh, payable to the Consumer Welfare Fund
- Additional compensation
- Rs 10,000
- Litigation costs
- Rs 5,000
- National consumer helpline
- 1915
Quotes
Andhra Pradesh consumer commission
The consumer commission that adjudicated the overcharging complaint
“Consumers at such places are often constrained by time, availability of alternative vendors, and the urgency of their needs. Such consumers are in a vulnerable position and are compelled to purchase essential articles at the price demanded.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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