Patna: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Patna, has directed a seller to refund Rs 1.30 lakh with 12% annual interest and pay Rs 85,000 towards compensation and litigation expenses for failing to supply all the sanitary pad manufacturing machines purchased by a beneficiary of the Bihar Entrepreneur Scheme.
The commission ordered the opposite party to pay Rs 75,000 as compensation for mental agony and loss of livelihood opportunities, along with Rs 10,000 towards litigation expenses.
The order follows a complaint over the incomplete supply of machinery purchased to establish a sanitary pad manufacturing unit.
Complainant Paid Rs 3 Lakh in Advance
According to the case details, the complainant was a beneficiary of the Bihar Entrepreneur Scheme and had paid an advance of Rs 3 lakh to the seller to purchase sanitary pad manufacturing machines through IndiaMART.
However, the seller supplied only some of the machines and failed to deliver the remaining essential equipment required for the unit.
Despite repeated assurances and the issuance of a legal notice, the matter remained unresolved, prompting the complainant to approach the consumer commission.
Commission Finds Deficiency in Service
After examining the evidence available on record, the commission found a deficiency in service on the part of the opposite party. The complaint was partly allowed on an ex parte basis.
The commission directed the seller to refund Rs 1.30 lakh to the complainant with interest at 12% per annum. The seller was also ordered to pay the prescribed compensation and litigation expenses.
The order must be complied with within 60 days of receipt of a copy of the order.
Order Passed by Two-Member Commission
The order was passed by Mr Prem Ranjan Mishra, President, and Mr Rajnish Kumar, Member, of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Patna.
The case highlights the importance of consumer protection in commercial transactions involving machinery purchases and equipment supplied for small business ventures.
