The Bengaluru Urban District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission recently ordered the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) to pay a man ₹2,000 in compensation after he was refused ₹1 change for a bus ride.
In 2019, Ramesh Naik boarded a BMTC bus, and the conductor issued him a ticket for 29. Naik paid the bus conductor 30 rupees, but the change of 1 rupee was not returned.
Aggrieved by the same, Naik approached the Consumer Court seeking compensation of ₹15,000.
After considering the facts, the Commission ordered the BMTC to pay partial relief of ₹2,000 plus court fees of ₹1,000. The amount was directed to be paid within 45 days, or an interest rate of ₹6,000 per annum would be imposed.
BMTC later filed a counter-affidavit claiming that it was a trivial issue. The transport body denied the allegation of service deficiency and thus requested that the complaint be dismissed.
However, the Commission stated, “The dispute appears to be trivial in nature since the complainant took the issue as a matter of right before the commission. It must be appreciated and acknowledged as a consumer’s right. In this case, the complainant is entitled for a refund of relief.”
