Pilot training institute to compensate for deficiency in services

Chandigarh: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed a pilot training institute to cough up compensation to a student for not providing training in a course desired by him. The institute has been directed to refund Rs 22,600 plus the equivalent of US $17,450 along with Rs 2 lakh as compensation and Rs 11,000 as costs of litigation.
The complainant, Umang Vijay Kumar Trivedi, wanted to pursue the Professional Pilot Course III for which he took admission in Asia USA, Florida, at their regional office in Sector 35, Chandigarh. The complainant averred that he paid an advance sum of Rs 50,000 in cash in October 2007. Trivedi was assured that his admission will be confirmed within two weeks.
He was also directed to appear before the USA Embassy at Mumbai for an interview after which he received a letter from the Regional Airline Academy, a sister concern of Asia USA, stating that the Professional Pilot course would commence from January 15, 2008.
Interestingly, when he was again directed to attend the Visa interview call at the US Embassy, he was disqualified for not possessing a ground course certificate, which, he was later told, was a pre-requisite for the course. He was then asked to attend the Ground Training Course for which he paid Rs 13,30,000.
The complainant, thereafter, lodged a complaint with various agencies in India, USA and UK. While he has received Rs 5,00,000 as refund, he moved the forum alleging mental harassment and demanded a refund of the remaining amount.
In its reply, the institute denied the responsibility of providing Visa and claimed that the fee had been returned to the complainant.
14/01/09 Express India