Forum orders Induben Khakhrawala to pay compensation to buyer

Ahmedabad, Sep 3 (UNI) The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (CDRF), Ahmedabad, directed a reputed 'khakhra' (a type of chapati that is razor thin) manufacturer to carry out all the requirements as prescribed in the Prevention of Food and Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1984 as well as the Weights and Measures Act.

The CDRF partly allowed a complaint filed by Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Ahmedabad and Mr Dharmesh J Govani against the 'khakra' manufacturer, Ms Induben Khakhrawala of Mithakhali in Ahmedabad and pronounced the order.

The Forum also directed the opposite party to apprise the complainants after the requirements are carried out within two months, and ordered a compensation of Rs 3,000 and cost of Rs 1,000, the CDRF said in a release here.

Mr Govani had purchased 'khakhra' from Ms Khakhrawala on November 22, 2004 and paid Rs 30 as the price. He found that there was no label on the packet nor was there any mention of the mandatory basic requirements such as details of ingredients, name of food item, name and complete address of the manufacturer and the best before use date. Even the most important information, the date of manufacture, was not declared on the label.

''It is alleged that the unit was repeatedly requested to change the ordinary packets and replace them with the printed ones as per the statutory provisions. However, it is still observed that the same packets are being supplied to the consumers without giving the statutory information. Therefore, it is a clear case of deficiency in service and unfair trade practice by the unit,'' the Forum observed.

''It was only after constant efforts by the complainants that the opposite party started labelling its products, but it was not in conformity with the rules laid down in the Act,'' the Forum added.

UNI