Recently, I came across something that truly shocked me—and as a conscious consumer, it was hard to ignore. A well-known Indian newspaper, available in print for ₹9 (clearly printed on the physical copy), was being sold on its official digital platform in PDF format for ₹25. That's almost three times the printed MRP!
Curious and concerned, I immediately contacted the customer support number listed on their site. I asked why the online version was priced more than the printed MRP. The response? “It’s a management decision.” No further explanation. I then checked their Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy —every legal and consumer protection section you'd expect from a responsible platform. To my surprise, they were all blank or missing.
So, I took the next logical step. I dialed 1915, the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), to file a formal complaint. I explained my issue in detail. The executive assured me that the complaint would be taken seriously and action would be initiated. However, I later discovered that the executive made typos in my email ID while registering the grievance. I called again to correct the details and was told to “wait a few days” for updates.
Weeks passed. Then months. When I finally checked the status of my complaint, I saw that NCH had sent multiple reminders to the newspaper company—but the company never responded. And eventually, the NCH closed my complaint with a generic remark "The Grievance was forwarded to the company by NCH and also sent 2 reminders as well, but no response has been received. If you have already complained to the company and want to pursue the case further you may file a case at the designated Consumer Commission online. Please visit https://e-jagriti.gov.in/". That’s it. Case closed. No follow-up. No accountability.
What frustrates me most is that NCH executives should have been upfront. They should have told me from day one that NCH doesn’t have the authority to enforce action if a company simply ignores their reminders. Many companies know this. They know there are no real consequences, so they choose not to respond at all.
To this day, the same newspaper is selling ₹9 MRP copies online for ₹25. Their policies are still missing. And the authorities? Silent.
What This Means for Consumers
If you're a consumer who cares about fairness, pricing, and transparency—be aware. My experience is a reminder that:
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NCH is not always effective for serious violations.
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Companies can and often do ignore NCH without consequence.
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NCH may eventually refer you to e-Jagriti or legal channels.
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If you're seeking real action, It’s better to approach DCDRC, SCDRC, NCDRC, or e-Jagriti portal depending on case.
- The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (D.C.D.R.C.)
- The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC)
- The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just about one newspaper. It’s about a broader issue: how weak regulatory enforcement can leave consumers helpless. If companies can openly flout MRP rules and laws with no accountability, what does that say about our consumer protection system?
So, before you file that complaint with NCH, ask yourself: Will they act, or will they pass the buck?
Stay alert. Stay informed. And if you truly want justice—be prepared to go beyond helplines and NCH portal (National Consumer Helpline, consumerhelpline.gov.in/).