The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission at Ernakulam noted that the Kerala State Department of Consumer Affairs, in an order issued in July 2019, mandates that all government, public and private entities should provide bills that are both legible and durable.
The department highlights the issuing poorly printed bulls may constitute a ‘deficiency of service’ and an ‘unfair trade practice’ as per the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Consequently, it is compulsory for all government, public sector, and private organisations in Kerala to issue bills that are clearly printed on high quality paper using superior ink, ensuring their longevity and readability,” the commission stated.
The commission also noted that providing proper receipts is necessary as per the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 and the Consumer Protection (General) Rules, 2020.
It went on to emphasise that including clear terms and conditions in a legible manner is crucial for protecting consumer rights stating,
“This inclusion is crucial for ensuring consumers’ rights to be informed about the prices of products or services they purchase or hire. It also provides them with documentary evidence to support claims in Consumer Commissions, establishing that they have indeed bought the products or hired services from a specific trader or service provider.”
The order was passed by a bench consisting of president DB Binu and members V Ramachandran and Sreevidhia TN.
Source: Barandbench
