The Sambalpur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has penalised a Chinese firm and its Kolkata-based medical equipment supplier for selling a defective ultrasound machine to a Sambalpur-based doctor, Debasish Behera.
The complainant Sandhaya Kar and her husband Debasish Behera, both practising doctors, had purchased the ultra sonography machine manufactured by OP No 1 of China for Rs 6 lakh through bank finance. But while using the machine the complainant found poor resolution, image quality and deficient in diagnostic applications.
After getting information, the supplier Hospital Supply Company’s service engineer came and, after inspection, assured of rectification. But no rectification was done. Later, the complainant sent a lawyer’s notice, but there was no response. So, the complainant approached the consumer forum.
The consumer body directed the company and the supplier to replace the defective machine with a new one within one months of its order or else pay Rs 8 lakh with 12% interest per annum from September 15, 2015.
For deficiency in service the OPs have to pay Rs 3 lakh and also pay the complainant Rs 10,000 as litigation charges, the forum ordered.
