Bonds that bind

We have sent two signed and endorsed certificates of Flexi Bond 15, (folio numbers 151FB124505 and 151FB172699) by registered post to IDBI, Mumbai office. Though the bonds matured on 25.06.2006, we have neither received any cheque nor any response from IDBI. We have sent several reminders to the company but to no avail. What is my remedy?

S.R. Mukhopadhyay, B. Mukhopadhyay,
Renu Villa, Street No. 2,
Hindustan Park,
Asansol 713304

The company: No response

The expert: Since your Flexi Bonds have already matured and you have not received the matured amount to date, I would advise you to approach the consumer forum for relief and redress.

Talking point

When I took the first connection from TATA Indicom, the scheme on offer promised full talk time plus 500 minutes of free talk time to local TATA phones on every recharge of Rs 357. I was able to recharge my mobile phone with the Rs 357 voucher on the first month of purchase. Accordingly, I also received the free 500 minutes of talk time. Unfortunately, the next month I was unable to recharge my cell with the said voucher. On contacting the customer care I was told that the said scheme was withdrawn a week before my purchase of the connection, whereas the dealer had assured me of the scheme and its continuation. However, I took the second connection under the Go-Max scheme of the company, which offered 10,000 minutes of free talk time to local TATA phones. After only one-and-a-half month of usage I find that my free talk time is almost exhausted (approximately 200 minutes were left), which is absurd considering my routine phone habit. According to my calculations I should still have at least 7,500 minutes of talk time left. The unilateral withdrawal of the scheme by the company has caused me serious financial problems. What am I to do?

Varun Bothra,
Ultadanga, Calcutta

The company: No response

The expert: The matter, undoubtedly, speaks of unfair trade practice on the part of TATA Indicom as also their deficiency in service. The unilateral withdrawal of scheme as per the sweet will of the company is an unfair trade practice as per section 2(r) of the Consumer Protection Act. Besides, the misleading advertisement to boost sales clearly shows how a company of good repute is indulging in round dealing with consumers, thereby causing serious harassment to them. After the new amendment of the Consumer Protection Act the “unfair trade practice” has come within the ambit of COPRA and as such there is no need to file a complaint before the MRTP Commission in New Delhi. Instead, as per section 11 of Consumer Protection Act, the complainant should approach the consumer forum under whose jurisdiction the company has its branch here and pray for appropriate relief and redress.

Fixed woes

I am in urgent need of the following addresses: (a) Company Law Board in Calcutta (b) Calcutta District Consumer Forum, Units I and II (c) State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, West Bengal (d) National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi.

I need these addresses because I have not yet received the matured amount against the fixed deposits with Medinova Diagnostics, Calcutta. It is really surprising that at 85, I have to run around to claim my rightful dues. I have sent the company several reminders but to no avail. As it is known by now, Medinova Diagnostics has constantly been avoiding making payments to its consumers on the false claim of a financial crunch.

J.C. Sengupta,
392, Parnasree Pally,
Calcutta 700060

The company: No response

The expert: Here are the following addresses:

Company Law Board, Nizam Palace, Calcutta.

District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Units I and II, 8B, Nelie Sengupta Sarani, Calcutta (7th Floor of Lindsay Hotel, opposite Globe Cinema).

State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, West Bengal, Bhawani Bhavan, Calcutta 700027.

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Janpath Bhavan, “B” Wing, 7th Floor, New Delhi, 110001.

When a company or a firm invites deposits in exchange of attractive rates of interest and prompt repayment of principal and interest amount on expiry of the stipulated period — with full security for the investment in the shape of the asset of the company or firm — it is in essence an offer made by the company for business purposes. Such a transaction is clearly one of providing service for consideration and the depositor is clearly a consumer under the Act. In such circumstances you can certainly approach the consumer forum for relief and redress. In fact, you can also claim compensation for the harassment caused as also the interest at the contractual rate till the date of payment as a punitive measure against the company.

When goodwill isn’t good enough

I purchased a filing rack from Steelco Syndicate, 26 Shakespeare Sarani, Calcutta 17 on 17.10.2006. The rack was delivered to me on October 18, 2006. To my shock, it was far from the quality on display at the showroom. Besides, the handles were rusted and one of them was even broken. When I contacted the owner, Rishi Bajaj, he promised to refund my money and also take back the rack. However, to date, the company has neither taken back the rack nor refunded the money. What am I to do now?

J. Poddar,
8-B, Lake Terace,
Calcutta 700029

The company: No response

The expert: It is surprising that a company of such repute is bent upon indulging in round dealings with consumers. However, under the circumstances you are advised to approach the director, consumer affairs and fair business practices, 8-B, Nelie Sengupta Sarani, Calcutta 700087, for appropriate relief