In a recent development, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (East Delhi) has directed Lifestyle International Pvt Ltd, a prominent fashion apparel retailer, to pay a fine of Rs 3,000. The fine was imposed in response to a complaint filed by Anmol Malhotra, who alleged deficiency in services for being charged Rs 7 for a paper carry bag without prior intimation.
The commission, comprising President S S Malhotra and members Rashmi Bansal and Ravi Kumar, asserted that Lifestyle’s practice of charging customers for paper bags, especially for items purchased at their outlet, constituted a deficiency in service. Anmol Malhotra claimed that the undisclosed charge for the paper bag marred his shopping experience, causing distress and inconvenience.
The focus of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission was on whether corporations like Lifestyle should be permitted to levy additional charges for carry bags without informing customers in advance.
Despite the shift from plastic to paper bags following the nationwide ban on plastic, several retailers, including Lifestyle, adopted the practice of charging customers for paper carry bags due to their higher cost. Typically, customers are informed about these charges at the billing counter.
In its ruling in favor of the complainant, the commission emphasized that Lifestyle should not impose any charge on customers for paper bags without providing prior information. This decision sets a precedent, questioning the practice of undisclosed charges for essential packaging materials and advocating for greater transparency in consumer transactions.
