MAHYCO MONSANTO BIO TECH INDIA LTD Vs. DODDABASAPPA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Mahyco Monsanto Bio Tech(India) Ltd. and Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co.Ltd. & Anr. (hereinafter referred to as the 'Petitioners') have filed these revision petitions against the order of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Karnataka(hereinafter referred to as the 'State Commission') decided in favour of Doddabasappa and others, Respondents herein, who were original complainants before the District Forum.

(2.) Since, the facts and issues involved in these cases are substantially similar, these revision petitions are being disposed of through a single order by taking the facts from R.P.No.3800 of 2006.

(3.) In his complaint before the District Forum, Respondent had stated that he is an agriculturist cultivating two acres of leasehold land for which he had purchased MECH-12 cotton seeds for Rs.1,525/- from the dealer and agent of the Petitioner (who was the manufacturer of the seeds) and which he sowed in his land by following the directions and agricultural practices as advised by the Petitioner. However, after having sowed the seeds and providing proper irrigation, pest control measures and investing in labour, the seeds failed due to their inferior quality. Respondent therefore, immediately approached the agent of Petitioner and also Petitioner to inspect the crops which they failed to do and only orally intimated that the seeds supplied by them were of good quality. Respondent thereafter submitted a representation/request to the Joint Director(Agriculture), Bellary on 01.06.2005 as also to the Deputy Commissioner, Bellary to inspect the crops which had failed because of defective seeds. However, the Joint Director(Agriculture) was away from his office. Respondent thereafter filed a complaint before the District Forum on grounds of deficiency in service and requested that Petitioner be directed to pay him compensation amounting to Rs.2,93,000/- which included cost of the seeds as well as 70,000/- spent on fertilizers, pesticides and labour, Rs.10,000/- for mental agony, Rs.500/- for litigation costs, Rs.1,50,000/- for damages and loss of crops and Rs.50,000/- for deficiency in service with interest @ 12% per annum as well as other relief as deemed proper.