Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (North) has directed a global tourism company to refund Rs 1 lakh to a retired postmaster general, who cancelled his European package after paying an advance three years ago.
In the petition K. Ramachandirann, a retired postmaster general, submitted that he proposed to undertake a 15 days Europe tour along with his wife in May 2015.
The tour was conducted by Kuoni Travels, Mumbai. The firm directed him to pay Rs 1,91,514 per person. On November 11, 2014, he paid an advance of Rs 1 lakh for two tickets.
As advised by the staff, he opted for “secure your booking deposit” scheme, an insurance cover on cancellation charges. He paid an additional sum of Rs 3,000 for availing the insurance cover. The agency had not informed him the date of departure.
Suddenly, his mother-in-law was hospitalised due to a cardiac problem. On January 23, 2015, he informed the matter to the travels agency and sought the refund of the amount paid by him. He said the failure to refund the deposit amount was an unfair trade practice.
In its reply, Kuoni Travels submitted that Ramachandirann had paid the non-refundable booking amount. He booked his tour a few months prior to the tentative departure date in May 2015. Barely a few weeks prior to the departure he cancelled the tour for second time. He had to pay '20,000 towards cancellation charges.
Holding Kuoni Travels for committing deficiency in service, the bench comprising President K. Jayabalan and member M. Uyirroli Kannan directed the travel agency to refund Rs 1 lakh along with an interest of 12 per cent per annum from November 2014. The bench also directed it to pay him Rs 5,000.
