PUNE, July 17: The Pune Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ordered Prasanna Travels to pay Harish Pandurang Deshmukh Rs 3,850 along with interest, Rs 1,000 for mental torture and Rs 1,000 as cost of litigation for unfair trade practice. It has also strongly directed the travel agency to refrain from indulging in this in the future.The complainant, who is working at the Indian Meteorological Department, had booked a package tour on September 30 for a trip to Bangalore/ Mysore/ Madumalai/ Ooty from December 23 to December 29, through Prasanna Travels. At the time of booking he was assured by the dealing clerk that he, being a Central Government servant, would be able to claim LTC/LFC facility. Subsequently, the agency had also published an advertisement regarding the facility in a leading daily newspaper.
After returning from the journey, when the complainant forwarded his travelling expense certificate for Rs 3,850 to his office, the claim was rejected stating that LTC was not allowable for PrasannaTravels.
He received a reply from the Department of Tourism with a copy of a letter addressed to Prasanna Travels wherein they had stated that that LTC on private chartered buses had been withdrawn from July 11, 1985, therefore issuing misleading advertisements could lead to punitive action by the Government. The complainant had stated that the newspaper advertisement was illegal and aimed at misguiding people.
The order was delivered by President KD Kochargaonkar and members SS Pendse and SS Oak.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
