Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Aug 18: A firm named S R K Alluminium and Ladders based in Puttur, has been ordered by the Consumers’ Court here to pay a sum of Rs 10,188 to the petitioner, Vishnu Kannadaguli, a resident of Manila village near Vittal.

The consumer, Vishnu, had bought two aluminium ladders from the said firm in the year 2008 for use in his plantation. However, while using the ladders to harvest black pepper grown on areca nut trees, aluminium rods fitted to the ladders suffered bends under his weight. After he complained to the firm, its representatives met him and assured that they would replace both the ladders.  However, they failed to keep up the promise and continued to neglect notices and requests sent by the consumer thereafter, either to replace the ladders or reimburse the cost.

Vishnu then approached the Consumers’ Court. Through a judgment delivered on August 9, the court ordered the firm to reimburse Rs 6,188 being the cost of the ladders, pay Rs 3,000 as compensation and an additional sum of Rs 1,000 towards costs of the suit, to the complainant within a month. Failing compliance, the company has been asked to pay interest on Rs 10,188 at the rate of 12% per annum.