Denied ₹50 smartcard fee refund, man sues BMRCL in vain

Bengaluru: A Bengalurean who was denied a refund of Rs 50 collected as a minimum balance towards his contactless Namma Metro smartcard, took the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to a consumer court, which, however, dismissed the case.The court held that the smartcards were issued to lessen commuters’ burden and they were not compelled to buy them. Vijayanagar resident Kiran Kumar P, 32, purchased the Metro smartcard by paying a minimum of Rs 50. Having decided to return the card, he approached the BMRCL customer desk demanding a refund of the amount. But Metro representatives told him that he could not get the refund as there was no rule to that effect. Kumar filed an RTI application but was told that the smartcard should carry a non-refundable sum of Rs 50 and needed to be topped up for train travels.In August 2021, Kumar approached the Fourth Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Shantinagar, accusing the BMRCL of unfair trade practices and service deficiency. The commuter argued that he had to be refunded the money as he had returned the smart card.But the BMRCL’s counsel stated that the card was issued to enable hassle-free commutes for passengers and save them from standing in long queues at ticket counters. The card was issued as per RBI prepaid payment guidelines and the in-built condition while issuing it was that a minimum balance of Rs 50 should be maintained. A single smart card cost Rs 58.06 but it was charged Rs 50 keeping in mind the customer benefits. If requested, an authorised bill for the purchase of the card would be issued. Moreover, the purchase of the smart card was optional for consumers, the counsel added.In their verdict delivered recently, the judges of the consumer forum did not accept Kumar’s claim that the BMRCL was unfair in not refunding him Rs 50. There was no compulsion for customers to purchase a Namma Metro Smart Card, introduced by the BMRCL for better service to customers, they held.
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