Spencer's fined Rs 1,000 for charge on carry bags, asked to refund Rs 5

HYDERABAD: Telangana Consumer Court has ordered Spencer's Retail Limited to refund Rs 5 which was wrongly collected for plastic carry bags. The court also fined the retail giant Rs 1,000 as compensation to be given to the complainant. The retail store was also directed to stop charging for plastic bags and provide free carry bags to all customers.

Shyam Kumar, an advocate by profession, purchased various products from the retail store and paid an amount of Rs 2,532 which included the additional charges of Rs 5 for the plastic bag. In his complaint, he alleged that the carry bags had their business logo on both sides. The complainant claimed that the retail store was indulging in unfair trade practices by charging for plastic bags and using the customer as a medium of advertisement. He sought appropriate compensation and hence filed a complaint against the store.

Spencer's retail store, denying the allegations, said that the purchase of carry bags was entirely optional and the customers were even allowed to carry their own bags for purchase. They also contended that the plastic bags they sell are manufactured in adherence to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. They further added that rule 14 of the amended act states that the retailers can manufacture, label and mark the plastic bags sold to the customers. The retail store sought the dismissal of the case as there was no deficiency of service on their part.

The court, hearing both the parties, said that the shopkeepers willing to provide plastic carry bags should register with the local body and only the registered shopkeepers are eligible to provide plastic carry bags for their customers. The court further said that the local body utilizes the amount paid by the customers for the plastic bags for sustainability and waste management. Hence, the court, while imposing a fine, also ordered the store to provide free carry bags for its customers.