Verdict: No compensation on overcharged liquor in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has upheld a lower forum order that turned down a compensation plea by a consumer who was charged more than the MRP shown on a liquor bottle.

As per consumer rights activist Ravi A., of Thrissur, he purchased a bottle of whisky from a local Bevco outlet. Though the MRP was Rs 805, he was charged Rs 870. 

He issued a notice to Bevco in October 2014 and did not get a reply. He approached the Thrissur Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum and later the state commission pointing out that the collection of Rs 65 in excess was an unfair trade practice. 

The Bevco official appeared and contested before the commission that the price was fixed based on the budget passed by Kerala Legislative Assembly. 

The tax was revised, and the pre-printed labels will not affect the collection of the revised tax, the said.  

The lower forum found out that the price printed as MRP was an error by oversight but not unfair trade practice.

As per Union government and Controllers of Legal Metrology in the States, the revised prices of such packages need to be advertised in newspapers on two occasions by manufacturer or packer. 

However, this was not needed in the case of tax payable under any law made by the State Legislation.