The Cuddalore District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on Tuesday, directed a Cuddalore-based jeweller to pay ₹50,000 to a consumer for unfair trade practices and deficiency in services.
In his petition, Pushparaj, 58, a teacher of Cuddalore, said that he had joined ‘Swarna Viruchagam’, a deposit scheme floated by Sri Valli Vilas, Cuddalore. Under the scheme, the jeweller accepted periodical deposits for a stipulated duration with a promise that a corresponding quantity of gold would be credited to the subscriber’s account, which could later be utilised to purchase ornamental jewellery. The jeweller also advertised that both ‘wastage charges’ and ‘making charges’ would not be included in the gold purchased under the scheme.
However, the petitioner told the consumer disputes commission that at the time of purchase, Sri Valli Vilas added a component called ‘Value Addition’, which, he said, was nothing but wastage charges and making charges, which was against the terms of the scheme.
