Achi news desk-
GUWAHATI: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Committee in Thrissur has ordered Britannia Industries and a local bakery to pay ₹ 60,000 compensation to the consumer for selling packets of biscuits weighing significantly less than the claimed 300 grams.
The bench, comprising president CT Sabu and members Sreeja S. and Ram Mohan R., found that the weight of the packets of biscuits was 52 grams less than the declared 300 grams.
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"There is a drastic shortage of the net weight of the biscuits in the MO1 package. Specifically, the deficiency is more than 52 grams (300-248 grams)," The bench as stated in its order of September 26, 2023.
The ruling came following a complaint by George Thetill, who purchased two packages of "Britannia Nutri Choice Thin Arrow Root Biscuits" from Chukkiri Royal Bakery at ₹40 each. The weight of the packages, which were claimed to be 300 grams, were found to weigh only 268 grams and 248 grams.
After Thetil’s complaint to the cattle assistant in the flying squad for legal metrology in Thrissur confirmed the discrepancy in weight, he appealed to the district consumer dispute resolution committee requesting compensation and an order to prevent the manufacturer and the seller from engaging in such methods.
Although notices were served, both the UK and the bakery failed to respond to the committee, which proceeded independently. The committee concluded that both parties violated the consumer’s right to be free from exploitation and unfair trade practices.
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"The act of fraud by the manufacturer or trader endangers the consumer’s dignity and right to a life free from exploitation or fraud," The committee noted.
The acts were considered violations of the Consumer Protection Act and Section 30 of the Legal Metrology Act 2009, which deals with penalties for transactions that contravene a standard weight or measure.
The commission ordered Britain and the bakery to pay £50,000 in compensation for Tatil’s loss and £10,000 in legal costs. Additionally, the Inspector General of Legal Metrology in Kerala has been directed to conduct a state-wide inquiry to ensure compliance with net quantity standards for packaged goods.
