Ludhiana: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed a Chandigarh-based vacation company to refund a membership fee of ₹1,89,900 to a Ludhiana resident due to a deficiency in service. The order came after the firm failed to provide a promised tax-free holiday, resulting in the client being wrongfully charged at hotel check-out.The complainant, Manjeet Kaur of Eldeco Estate One in Ludhiana, had purchased a five-year membership with the travel firm on November 29, 2020. Under the plan, which was valid until November 2025, Kaur was entitled to six free nights annually with a categorical assurance of no additional taxes or hidden fees.The dispute arose during a family amusement tour to Dalhousie from March 11 to March 14, 2021. Despite pre-assurances that the buffet breakfast, dinner, and all taxes were completely covered, the hotel executive astonished Kaur during check-out by forcing her to pay an additional ₹4,500 in taxes.Company officials initially assured Kaur that the extra amount would be paid back as soon as possible. However, the firm subsequently lingered on the matter under various pretexts and eventually flatly refused to return the money, despite five telephonic reminders from the complainant.Seeking redressal for mental agony, Kaur petitioned the commission for a full membership refund, alongside ₹20,00,000 in compensation and ₹35,000 in litigation costs. Despite being formally served a notice by the court, no representative turned up on behalf of the vacation firm, prompting the panel to proceed with an ex-parte hearing.The consumer commission observed that the evidence on record clearly established a deficiency in service and unfair trade practices. Noting that the complainant no longer wished to continue her association with the firm, the panel ordered a complete refund of the initial membership fee.Commission verdictThe commission directed that as the opposite party is deficient in providing proper services to the complainant and as such, the complainant is entitled to composite cost of Rs 10,000 from it. The Chandigarh-based travel firm chose not to contest the claim despite receiving legal notices, cementing the undisputed evidence presented by the consumer.
