Arunachal Pradesh

East Siang

CC/14/53

Shyamal Ranjan Dey - Complainant(s)

Versus

Manager, AIR India - Opp.Party(s)

nil

26 Aug 2014

ORDER

 

JUDGEMENT & ORDER

This is a case under section 2 (1) (d) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

The fact of the case is that the complainant had booked 3 (three) Air tickets for self and family on 27^th  March, 2014 for the journey to be taken in May 2013 from Guwahati to Silchar, silchar to Imphal and Imphal to Gauhati through opposite party Make My Trip, a portal Agent of Air India.  As the flight schedule of May 10 for Guwahati to Silchar was rescheduled to May 11, the complainant also got ticket printed at Guwahati office for Silchar to Imphal scheduled on 15^th May and Imphal to Guwahati for May 17. He availed the flight from Gauhati to Silchar where he was stranded following cancellation of flight for Imphal. On receipt of information of cancellation of flight he approached AIR India, Silchar for refund of the fare but was not paid on the plea that the amount was collected by the Portal Agent ‘Make My Trip’. As the AIR India could not arrange alternative, he hired a taxi for Imphal and traveled by road.          

Mr. Christopher Perme counsel for the AIR India stated that since the complainant had booked the tickets from the portal Agent “Make my trip”, they (AIR India) could not refund the fare on the spot. However his case was processed immediately on receipt of intimation.  Accordingly, Make my trip, refunded his fare within 5 months. He also stated that flight was cancelled due to some technical problem and the matter was informed to complainant through Call Centre

Complainant stated that in spite of verbal request, AIR India, Silchar could not provide any alternative arrangement nor fare was refunded immediately for making personal arrangement. With no alternative, he traveled by road with a hired taxi despite knowing well the road condition from Silchar to Imphal. The fare was also refunded only after more that 5 months.

Heard both the parties.

This Forum has observed that there was time lag to refund the fare, nevertheless it was done. Not much deficiency is seen on the part of AIR India however, the same could have been fastened up, which was not done. Therefore, Air India is to pay a nominal amount of Rs. 2000 towards basic expenditure made by the complainant in hiring taxi and mental harassment caused to the complainant on account of cancellation of flight schedule. The amount is be paid within 2 (two) months from the date of judgment.

         The case is hereby disposed off.

         Copy of this order be forwarded to both the parties.

 

                                                                      (Kumsong Pangging)                                   (Nidhi Srivastava) IAS

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