Stop unfair practices in ration shops: bench

By A. Subramani

CHENNAI, AUG. 15. The intention of a benign State Government in providing essential commodities like rice, sugar and kerosene at subsidised rates through ration shops should be fulfilled without any deviation, and it should be ensured that people are not put to any hardship or suffering, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission here has observed.

A bench was disposing of an appeal against a district forum order granting Rs. 1,000 as compensation to a consumer who had alleged unfair trade practice by ration shop employees at Thenkarai in Periyakulam near Madurai. According to him, the employees were compelling customers/cardholders to purchase other goods if they wanted rice, sugar and kerosene.

Allowing the petition, the district forum asked the department officials concerned to pay a compensation of Rs. 1,000 for mental agony and anguish suffered by the complainant, besides Rs. 500 as litigation expenses. It also directed the Periyakulam Taluk Supply Officer (TSO) to make frequent checks in fair price shops and stop the unfair practice.

Disposing of the appeal, the bench comprising the Commission president, Mr. Justice M. S. Janarthanam and the member, Mr. Kayal Dinakaran, made detailed observations, but set aside the compensation factor. ``There is no jurisdiction for the forum below for issuance of a direction to pay compensation of Rs. 1,000. As such a relief is incapable of being granted under Clause(f) of Section 14 of the Consumer Protection Act''.

On the role of the inspecting mechanism, the bench said, ``if the fence does not provide any protection to the crops, there is no use of having a fence. The appointment of an inspecting officer (TSO) must be meaningful and serve the purpose of protecting the gullible consuming public''.

The bench asked the ration shop personnel to file an affidavit, informing the Commission of the discontinuation of the unfair trade practice. In case of repetition of the practice ``they will have to face the music''.

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