mangalore today

Consumer Forum Penalizes MCC for Poor Service


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, October 31,2009: The DK Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has chided and penalized the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) for harassing a consumer by billing him excessively and then refusing to set matters right. 

The consumer who had approached the consumer forum was Dr Sunil P Shenoy, an urologist from Kadri. He had approached the Consumer Forum in August 2009 because all efforts made by him in order to get a refund of the excessive dues charged resulted in failure. Interestingly, the MCC did not contest the case. 

The consumer forum effectively used the Right to Information Act of 2005 and made MCC admit that it had indeed overcharged the consumer. The forum also brought to light the fact that the MCC lacked clear rules and guidelines with regard to charging of bills and collection of dues, owing to which certain officials misuse power. 

The Consumer Forum has ordered MCC not only to refund the excess dues of Rs 8,501 charged, but also to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 and expenses worth Rs 1,000 to Dr. Shenoy within a month.