The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission here has directed a private courier and cargo company to compensate The National Trust, which is under the Union Ministry of Social Justice, by paying ₹15 lakh for failing to deliver campaign material to various States in 2010.
The National Trust
The directions came when The National Trust approached the consumer panel stating that despite paying ₹25,000 for the material to be delivered to various States, the company failed to do so.
“The company was handed over the entire material to be sent with the instruction to ensure safe delivery without any delay... However, later the complainant was informed that the material was still lying with the company. The complainant was asked to make the immediate payment of ₹1.35 lakh,” read the complaint.
Additional amount
Further, it was contended that despite paying the additional amount, the company failed to deliver the material to 11 destinations and “thereby rendered the entire efforts at those 11 destinations to be meaningless for want of the awareness material”.
Holding the company deficient in services for failing to deliver the material, the consumer panel observed, “It is an undisputed fact that the complainant and opposite parties did enter into contract for the delivery of items required for the occasion. It is also undisputed that the items were not delivered causing agony and harassment to the complainant.”
While the Trust asked for a compensation of over ₹25 lakh for the deficiency, the State commission observed, “Keeping in view of the facts and circumstances of the case and the legal position, the Bench is of the considered view that the ends of justice would be met if compensation of ₹15 lakh is awarded in favour of the complainant.”
The consumer forum added that the complainant has to be compensated within three months.
