Consumer panel fines jewellery federation

AKOLA: Buldhana District Consumers Dispute Redressal Forum, headed by Rajiv Patil, has directed All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation and Navalchand Mithulal Jewellers of Khamgaon in Buldhana district to conduct a fresh draw of a scheme in which crores of rupees were involved. The forum also asked them to pay compensation to Sadhna Deepak Agrawal for cheating or misleading her.
All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation had announced 'Lucky Laxmi Chamkegi Sabki Kismat' which was implemented by Navalchand Jewellers. Under the scheme, 50 four-wheelers and 250 laptops were to be given as prizes from 80,000 coupons on December 16, 2008. Consumers were given one coupon on the purchase of jewellery worth Rs 5,000 in that year. The draw of lots was held at Surat in Gujarat. However, reports said, only one four-wheeler and five laptops were given away.
When Sadhna Agrawal came to know about the facts, she urged the said federation to conduct a fresh draw. But her request was turned down. Therefore, she moved the district forum. Acting on her complaint, the forum asked the federation to conduct a fresh draw for 49 four-wheelers and 245 laptops. The forum directed Rs 10,000 compensation to Agrawal and Rs 5,000 as cost. It asked the federation to provide a list of prize winners to the complainant.