Sambalpur: A Consumer Court in Sambalpur has slapped a fine of Rs 2 lakh on a parking contractor for overcharging. The contractor has also been directed to deposit Rs 1 lakh in the consumer welfare fund of the district.
The court’s order came in response to a complaint filed by Prafulla Das.
The court also ordered the parking contractor to reimburse Rs 12 at an interest of 12% per annum and also pay Rs 10,000 towards litigation cost to the complainant who was charged Rs 24 instead of the usual rate of Rs 12.
According to the report, Das had parked his two-wheeler near the GRP office of Sambalpur railway station and he was asked to pay Rs 30 as a parking fee. As he was in a hurry to board a train, he gave Rs 30 and left.
The parking fee was Rs 12 for 12 hours. Following his return, the parking contractor was supposed to return him Rs 18. Instead of returning Rs 18, the staff at the parking stand returned only Rs 6.
When Das asked about the excess charge, the parking operator couldn’t give any satisfactory reply. As a result, Das knocked the door of the Consumer Court.
