India Post directed by forum to pay back consumer 50 paise, plus ₹15k

Not returning 50 paise to a consumer and 'rounding it off' has cost the India Post dearly, which has been directed by a consumer disputes redressal commission to refund it, in addition to providing a compensation of Rs 10,000 to him for causing mental agony, unfair trade practice and deficiency in service.

Also, the Kancheepuram district consumer disputes redressal commission has asked the Department of Posts to pay Rs 5,000 towards litigation cost.

Complainant, A Manasha, he paid Rs 30 in cash for a registered letter at Pozhichalur post office near here on December 13, 2023, but the receipt showed only Rs 29.50. Though he offered to remit the exact amount through UPI, it was declined by postal personnel due to some technical issues.

In his plaint, he said lakhs of transactions happened daily and not accounting them properly had consequences including loss to the government and termed it illegal which caused him serious mental agony.