Journalism of Courage
The UT Consumer Forum imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on a Pune-based firm for providing a faulty generator set to a city resident. Holding Veena Industries Limited deficient in services,the forum directed it to replace the generator or refund Rs 3,35,000,the cost of the generator to a Sector 36 resident.
Paramjit Singh had purchased a generator set with two-year warranty from the company in March 2011. Despite running the generator only for 11 hours it started showing problems. Even after getting it repaired from the companys local service center the problem was not rectified completely,complained Singh. After getting it repaired some 17 times,Singh approached the company to replace the faulty parts. The generator was replaced with an older machine which still continued giving problems,Singh contended.
Singh filed a complaint with the forum for replacing the set as it was repaired more than 25 times within the period of warranty. It was also alleged that the generator had inherent manufacturing defects.
Despite being issued various notices,nobody from Veena Industries appeared before the forum and they were proceeded exparte.
However,it was pleaded by Composite Power System,the local service center of the Pune firm that the alleged defects had occurred due to manhandling,improper care and voltage fluctuation. Rejecting the contentions,the forum ruled that the very fact that Singh had to repair the set about 25 times within the warranty period shows that he has gone through enough harassment and mental agony.
With the allegations by the complaint rebutted by Veena Industries,the forum established that the generator set had inherent manufacturing defects.
