Chandigarh: Elante stores fined for charging Rs 12, Rs 7 for carry bags

CHANDIGARH: The district consumer disputes redressal forum, UT Chandigarh, has directed a store run by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited and Big Bazaar at Elante Mall to pay compensation to two persons in different complaints. The stores have been penalised for charging money for carry bags.
The cases were filed last year, however, the decision was taken last week and the same was uploaded on Monday.
Big Bazaar has been directed to pay Rs 1,200 as compensation and litigation cost along with Rs 5,000 as “punitive charges” . The store had charged Rs 12 for a carry bag. On the other hand, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited has been asked to pay Rs 1,100 as compensation and litigation cost for charging Rs 7 for a carry bag.
Balwinder Singh, a resident of Milk Colony in Dhanas, went for shopping at the Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited and he was charged Rs 7 for a carry bag.
In another case against Big Bazaar, Shubham, a resident of Sector 47, said he had purchased some articles on April 19, 2019 and the store charged Rs 12 for a carry bag. It was averred that Big Bazaar had advertised on the carry bag which was sold to him.
In their reply, Big Bazaar stated that the amount for the carry bag was rightly charged as the same was displayed in the store.
The forum, however, stated that, “The stores failed to produce any convincing evidence in the shape of rules authorising it to levy additional charges for carry bags and said the same amounted to unfair trade practice on their part.”