Sambalpur: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Sambalpur, has slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 on a shop owner for charging Rs 3 extra for a photocopy.
If the shop owener fails to pay the fine in 30 days, he will be charged 9% interest on the amount per annum till realisation.
“The opposition party is directed to refund Rs 3 towards excess money received from the complainant towards Xerox charges and Rs 25,000 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 realisation to the complainant,” the Tuesday’s order said.
On April 28, Prafulla Kurar Dash, a journalist from Budharaja area in Sambalpur district, went to the shop to get photocopy of a document and paid Rs 5. When he asked the shopkeeper to return the balance amount since a photocopy costs Rs 2, the latter abused him. As he persisted, the person sitting in the owner chair returned Rs 5, saying ‘he donated the money to the beggar’.
The order further said that while causing considerable mental agony and harassment, the shopkeeper also did not give any receipt or bill, which is an unfair trade practice. “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,” it added.
Dash said that he had very politely asked them to return Rs 3 but they misbehaved with him. “I directly when to the consumer court and lodged a complaint against them. They also skipped all the four hearings,” he added.
While refuting the allegation, the shop owner said that they are yet to receive the order. “We usually charge Rs 3 per photocopy, but when a customer asks for a single copy and is unable to give the exact change, we take Rs 5 due to increase in the cost of papers and ink,” he told a local channel.
He asserted that there was no incident of misbehaviour against any customer.
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