Consumer Forum directs IA to pay Rs 50,000 compensation

CHENNAI: A Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed national carrier Indian Airlines to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 to a passenger for 'deficiency' of service.

Forum President J Venkatesaperumal, admitting a petition filed by M Mohideen Abdul Khader, observed that the airlines had admitted that food supplied by the airlines to the complainant while travelling in the flight contained a glass piece.

"A glass piece found in the food item is a serious matter and would cause serious health problem to the passenger," the Forum observed while the awarding the amount as compensation.

The Forum observed that "Indian Airlines is a government of India organisation and Taj group of Hotels are the official caterers to the airlines. Though they claim they prepare the food in a highly hygienic condition, conducting random check, but still the food item supplied by them found to be unfit for consumption."

Abdul Khader, a business man, in his petition had contended that while he was travelling from Chennai to Singapore by Indian Airlines flight IC 557 on February 14, 2006, he found a glass piece in the food supplied by the airlines.

The petition was filed after the complainant was not satisfied with the airlines reply after he lodged a complaint with them.