Surat: How much does a cauliflower cost? About Rs 100 a kg. But the humble vegetable ended up costing an Ahmedabad-based tour operator Rs 5,000.The operator used cauliflower in food served to a Jain customer despite being specifically asked not to. The Navsari Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (CDRC) directed the tour operator to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for the inconvenience and mental harassment caused due to the non-availability of proper Jain food during a Kerala tour package in 2024.According to case details, a 44-year-old resident of Navsari had booked a Diwali vacation package for four family members with the operator on the condition that Jain food would be provided during the trip.However, after the family reached Kerala, the operator allegedly failed to honour the promise. Apart from not providing proper Jain food, the complainant also alleged that the operator failed to arrange good hotel accommodation, manage sightseeing properly, and provide tickets for certain activities. The complainant had also booked tickets worth Rs 11,500 through the operator, which were not confirmed.He subsequently approached the Navsari CDRC in March 2025, seeking Rs 80,000 as compensation for inconvenience and harassment, along with reimbursement of Rs 11,500 for the unconfirmed tickets.During the hearing, the tour operator’s advocate argued that the complaint was fabricated and claimed that Jain food had been provided. He said delays in cooking could have occurred due to the number of passengers and other circumstances. He also stated that activities such as elephant rides at Munnar and Thekkady were chargeable and that the complainant had been informed about this in advance. The advocate further argued that the facilities promised had been provided and that the complaint was filed only to defame the operator.After hearing both sides, the forum observed that records showed the operator had assured the complainant of Jain food. The complainant had specifically asked that cauliflower not be used, yet it was included in the food served.The forum noted that while the complainant had submitted a letter of complaint from another passenger, he failed to prove that the person had travelled with him. It also observed that the complainant had made his own travel arrangements after certain tickets were not confirmed.Considering the circumstances, the commission concluded that the operator had erred in not providing Jain food as promised. However, as the tourists had agreed to the terms of the tour for other arrangements, the operator was not held liable for those aspects.
