Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (South) has directed a proprietor of a working women’s hostel to pay a compensation of Rs 22,000, including refund of advance, to an inmate who suffered serious hardship during her stay. R.N. Manjula of Sathuvachari, Vellore submitted that her daughter M. Mayuri, who was pursuing an engineering course paid Rs10,000 as advance to the hostel proprietor Ravi for her stay.
She occupied the room from August to November 2012 and paid all the charges. Initially, Mayuri was allowed to occupy a room meant only for two persons. However, the hostel staff shifted her to another room stating that it was also meant for two members. During Mayuri’s stay in the new room, her room-mate allegedly caused trouble.
On a complaint in September 2012, the staff shifted her to a room shared by eight persons. Due to staff compulsion, she stayed in the room till November 2012. However, she paid Rs 10,000 for September 2012 towards room rent meant only for two members, whereas the rent for eight-member room was only Rs 6,000 per month.
When Mayuri and her mother asked them to adjust the advance amount for rent of November 2012 stating that Mayuri would shift to another hostel, the staff rejected their plea. The Bench comprising its president B. Ramalingam and members L. Deendayalan and K. Amala directed the hostel to return the advance of Rs 10,000 to the complainant with nine per cent interest and pay Rs12,000 as compensation for mental agony and hardship.
