Company penalised for not providing vacation vouchers to hearing impaired

Chandigarh, May 27
A private company has been penalised by the consumer forum here for not providing vacation vouchers to a hearing impaired person and then not giving a refund of the money taken. Satinder Singh Rana, a resident of Sector 12, had approached the forum against Country Club India Limited and its division, Country Vacations.

As per the complaint, in April 2016, Rana met officials of the firm while filling petrol in his vehicle who gave him a voucher/coupon and asked him to visit the office of the firm as and when the lucky draw result would be out. He later received a call informing him of being the lucky winner and a scheme of Rs 1.45 lakh was being given for only Rs 26,000.

He was told that the duration of the scheme was 21 days and as and when he would visit the place, boarding, lodging and meal would be free for him. The amount was deposited and agreement was executed on April 21, 2016. Rana could not understand the terms and conditions being handicapped and hard of hearing, adds the complaint.

In June-July, 2016, Rana demanded the vouchers to enable a visit to the destination of his choice. However, an additional sum of Rs 9,500, tax for seven days, was demanded. Not ready to pay the same, Rana demanded a refund of his previous payment as well. However, the same was not done and Rana approached the forum.

The company in its reply stated that as per clauses in the agreement, the amount could not be refunded and thus, they had not duped the complainant in any way. The forum, however, observed that Rana had a 100 per cent hearing disability, which was on record and his wife also had a 40 per cent disability. The company on the other hand could not prove that the terms and conditions were explained to the couple satisfactorily.

The case was thus decided in the favour of Rana and the forum directed the company to immediately refund the amount of Rs 26,000. The company was also told to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for deficiency in service, mental agony and harassment along with Rs 10,000 as costs of litigation.