Consumer forum penalises KSRTC for imposing additional amount on ticket fare as rounding off

Mysuru: The Mysuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has penalised the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), for imposing an additional amount on the ticket fare, as a rounding off exercising.

The Consumer Forum has issued an order on July 7, Monday, directing the KSRTC to refund the excess fare, besides payment of a compensation of Rs 25,000 for the mental agony caused to the petitioner, the passenger.

J Kiran Kumar, an advocate, who had travelled in a bus of the Karnataka-state-owned corporation on December 31, 2024, from Mysuru to Bengaluru had paid Rs 390, that included Rs 370 fare and Rs 19 GST, while Re 1 was the rounded-off amount.

He had complained to the Consumer Forum, on February 10, 2025, demanding a compensation of Rs 1 lakh for overcharging him.

The Consumer Forum members A K Naveen Kumari and M K Laitha have issued the order, directing the KSRTC to refund the Re 1 excess fare, in addition to payment of compensation of Rs 25,000 and also Rs 5,000 towards the expenses of the case, before one month of the date of the issuance of the order.

If the KSRTC fails to pay the compensation within one month, the KSRTC should pay an annual interest of 10 per cent on the total amount of Rs 30,001, up to the clearance of the amount. If the KSRTC fails, the petitioner can file a criminal case against the KSRTC officials, who may be sentenced to a jail term.