I and my family have been regular readers of TOI for many years in Bangalore. We continued subscribing it even after moving to our smaller native in Udupi but found that its Mangalore edition, which though priced the same as in Bangalore, was far inferior both in paper quality, quantity, news content, and supplements.
We did complain, first directly to TOI, but to no avail, and also through Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), Ahmedabad. Regrettably even CERC's several attempts to obtain an explanation to this issue did not elicit even a response from TOI. We therefore shifted our loyalty from TOI to Vijay Times as we found value for money from this young and fast growing newspaper from this region. Sensing the growing popularity of VT, TOI bought it over recently, effectively killing the competition.
My son, who is studying in Bangalore and currently on vacation with us here in Udupi informs me that TOI, which he subscribes in Bangalore, is of far better quality, has more coverage in all aspects of news than what it supplies here in the Mangalore edition for the same price! Surely consumer products of various Companies such as biscuits, toiletries, and health products of identical weight and sizes are sold at uniform rates throughout the State and in many cases even throughout the country!
According to CERC legal action is not possible as the issue does not fall under C.P. Act 1986.Regrettably even Press Council of India, to whom I also had complained in this matter have replied to me stating that this issue falls beyond their perview! My complaint in this regard to our Honourable Info & Broadcasting Minister and her colleagues remain unanswered! It appears there is no authority in the country to bell this big cat! Was this information helpful? | 
Post your Comment