Forum orders Induben Khakhrawala to pay compensation to buyer
- Posted by CERC India
- Posted in Food
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ahmedabad City, partly allowed a complaint filed by Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Ahmedabad, and Mr. Dharmesh J. Govani against M/s Induben Khakhrawala, Mithakhali, Ahmedabad, and ordered the reputed ‘khakhra’ manufacturer to carry out all the requirements as prescribed in the Prevention of Food and Adulteration (PFA) Act 1984 and Rules as well as the Weights and Measures Act and Rules. The Forum also directed the opposite party to apprise the complainants after the requirements are carried out within two months, and ordered a compensation of Rs. 3000 and cost of Rs. 1000.
Ref.: Press/er/dG/induben.24
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ahmedabad City, partly allowed a complaint filed by Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Ahmedabad, and Mr. Dharmesh J. Govani against M/s Induben Khakhrawala, Mithakhali, Ahmedabad, and ordered the reputed ‘khakhra’ manufacturer to carry out all the requirements as prescribed in the Prevention of Food and Adulteration (PFA) Act 1984 and Rules as well as the Weights and Measures Act and Rules. The Forum also directed the opposite party to apprise the complainants after the requirements are carried out within two months, and ordered a compensation of Rs. 3000 and cost of Rs. 1000.
Dharmesh had purchased khakhra from M/s Induben Khakhrawala on 22 November 2004 and paid Rs. 30 as the price. He found that there was no label on the packet nor was there any mention of the material and mandatory basic requirements such as details of ingredients and name of food item, name and complete address of manufacturer, and ‘best before’ use. Even the most important information, the date of manufacture, was not declared on the label. For every detail he had to ask the persons manning the shop.
The Forum noted, “It is alleged that the unit was repeatedly requested to change the ordinary packets and replace them by printing (the packets) as per statutory provisions”. However, it is still observed that the same packets are supplied to consumers without giving the statutory information . “Therefore, it is a clear case of deficiency in service and unfair trade practice by the unit”, the Forum observed.
It was only after constant efforts by the complainants, the Forum added, did the opposite party start labelling its products but it was “not in conformity with the rules laid down in the Act”.
Mr. C. A. Sejpal presided over the Forum with Ms Hemkalaben N. Shah as Member. Mr. Rajesh Patel appeared for the complainants and Mr. S. J. Mehta for M/s Induben Khakhrawala.
| Place: Ahmedabad | Editor: Pritee Shah |
