Consumer panel orders Bevco outlet to pay ₹25,010 for overcharging customer

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The Pathanamthitta Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed the manager of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation outlet at Perunad in the district to pay a compensation of ₹25,010 for charging a customer more than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) printed on a beer bottle.

The order was issued on a petition filed by A.T. Akash, a resident of Perunad, Ranni. The commission bench comprising president Babychan Vechoochira and member Nishad Thankappan found the outlet guilty of unfair trade practices. Akash purchased a 650 ml bottle of beer from the Perunad Beverages outlet. While the MRP printed on the bottle was Rs. 170, the outlet charged him Rs. 180 and issued a bill for the higher amount.

When he questioned the excess charge, the staff informed him that the amount shown in the computer system had to be collected and responded dismissively when he raised objections. The Beverages Corporation argued that a government order permitted the sale of old stock at revised prices until the stock was exhausted. However, the commission rejected the argument, stating that such a directive was contrary to the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.

The commission observed that pre-packaged commodities, including liquor bottles, cannot be sold above the MRP printed on the package. It further noted that charging a higher price based on revised rates without relabelling the product amounted to an unfair trade practice under consumer protection laws.

The commission directed the outlet manager to refund the excess amount of ₹10, pay ₹15,000 as compensation for the unfair trade practice and ₹10,000 towards litigation costs.