Consumer forum slaps Rs 25,000 fine on tour operator

The district consumer redressal forum has imposed fine of Rs 25,000 on a private tour operator for deficiency in service.
In its order issued last week, the president of the Forum, Umesh Jhavalikar and member N D Kadam also ordered the Konkan Tours Company to refund 60% of the advance money it had taken from the complainant Vinayak Patil at the time of booking in 2010.
Patil had approached the Forum after the tour operator refused to return him 60% of Rs 14,725 he had paid towards booking four seats in the tour for coastal Ratnagiri.
Patil sought refund as he cancelled the tour due to ill-health of his grandson. However, the tour operator denied him the refund, saying it had to anyhow arrange the tour meant for 11 persons with remaining 7 members.

The Forum junked the operator's argument after going through its service agreement, which stipulates that tour cannot be undertaken if number of passengers is less than 13.
The Forum ordered Konkan Tours Company to refund 60% of the booking amount which comes at Rs 8835 along with interest of 9 per cent from September 13, 2009 within 30 days.
The firm was also asked to pay fine of Rs 25,000 within 30 days to the complainant for mental agony and other expenses.