The district consumer disputes redressal forum has directed a city-based private educational institute to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation to a student for indulging in unfair trade practices. The institute has also been ordered to refund Rs 6,700 to the student.

The complainant Shagun, a resident of Sector 15-D, stated that she had taken admission in a one-year course in medical laboratory techniques at the Chandigarh Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Sector 38-C, in May 2006. She deposited Rs 15,000 as admission fee and paid Rs 1,500 per month besides Rs 25,000 for practical experiments.

The complaint stated that the institute did not issue any receipt. Further, the institute was to issue her a certificate after completing the said course, which was never issued.

“The institute kept the matter of the certificate lingering. Later on, when I came to know from another student that the institute is not affiliated to any university, I reported the matter to the police. A criminal case is pending,” stated the complainant. Announcing the verdict, the forum stated: “It is unfortunate that in the name of education, the commercial teaching ‘shops’ have emerged to trap innocent, unsuspecting students to make easy money.”