Sambalpur: District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Sambalpur has ordered a photocopy shop owner to pay a fine amounting Rs25,000 for refusing to return Rs3 to a customer, a source said Wednesday.
The order issued by the Commission Tuesday read, “The OP is directed to refund Rs3 towards excess money received from the Complainant towards Xerox charges and Rs25,000 as compensation towards mental agony and harassment to the Complainant within 30 days from the date of order, failing which the amount will carry with 9% interest per annum till realization to the complainant.”
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According to the source, Prafulla Kurar Dash, a journalist and resident of Budharaja area in Sambalpur district, visited a shop April 28, 2023, to obtain a photocopy of a document. Dash handed over five rupees to the shopkeeper and requested three rupees in return, as the standard rate for photocopy was Rs2 per copy. However, the shopkeeper declined to refund the excess amount and instead verbally abused Dash, added the source.
After Dash’s repeated pleading, the individual manning the shop eventually returned the five rupees but humiliated Dash. Additionally, the shopkeeper failed to provide a receipt or bill, which constitutes an unfair business practice.
In accordance with the order, the shopkeeper is obligated to compensate the complainant for these aforementioned grievances.
“The opposition party had not given any receipt or bill which is an unfair trade practice adopted by the OP. Further, the OP is collecting excess money per photocopy as compared to market rate. Hence, the OP is deficient in service. It is an exploitation to a consumer,” the order further read.
PNN
