SCDRC orders PepsiCo India to pay Rs 50 lakh to competition winner

The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) has directed PepsiCo India to pay Rs 50 lakh to Delhi resident Karishma. She was the winner of a competition "Pepsi Youngistan Ka Wow" organised by the company in 2010 Indian Premier League. 

The order comes after the commission noted that there is a growing tendency among companies to attract customers by announcing big prizes but the winner is hardly given anything. 

The Delhi consumer commission asked PepsiCo India to pay the amount along with compensation of Rs 10,000 and litigation charges Rs 10,000 within 30 days.

NP Kaushik, a member of the commission, said, "There is a growing tendency amongst the corporates to attract the customers by announcing big prizes and asking the public to participate in the competitions. It is done with a motive to promote business."

The commission has also stated that though consolation prizes were given to a large number of participants in the form of downloading music and songs, the winning prize was hardly given.