Kerala Shop's Weird Ad Draws Flak, Offers Cashback To Customers Infected With COVID-19
As soon as the matter was brought to the CMO, the police reached the venue and brought the shutters down. Moreover, a probe has also been initiated against the shop owner.
When it comes to luring customers, some stores seem to care about consequences while making outlandish claims.
While nations across the globe have been racing against time to find a vaccine or cure for this disease, we have an electronic shop in Kerala using COVID-19 to their advantage.
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An electronics shop in Kerala has landed in trouble after they put out a bizarre advertisement that promise customers a "cashback of upto Rs 50,000 without GST" if they tested positive for coronavirus within 24 hours of purchase.
The well known dealer of electronic products and home appliances based in Kerala, named Nandilath G-Mart said that cashback would be applicable on purchases made from August 15 to the end of the month only if they have COVID-19 in between.
Soon after the 'controversial' message went viral, the shop saw a sudden increase in the number of customers, which forced the administration to take action.
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Reports state that the electronics goods shop had published the advertisement in print, electronic, and digital mediums.
The bizarre advert alarmed Binu Pulikkakkandam, a lawyer and councillor of Pala Municipality in Kottayam. He wrote to the Chief Minister stating that the promotional advertisement was unlawful and punishable.
Pulikkakkandam said that the offer may prompt a coronavirus positive person to go the shop to buy by hiding his health condition and later claim the cashback.
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"Those without sound financial backgrounds might be forced to get COVID-19 infection in order to earn so much of money. It is a massive appeal to spread the contagious disease intentionally. The business owner has forgotten social responsibility while aiming to flourish his business. According to IPC Section 269, Information Technology Act of 2020, Section 89 of Consumer Protection Act in 2019 and the health norms of Kerala Municipality Act, they have committed a matter of serious offence," News 18 quoted Pulikkakkandam letter.
As soon as the matter was brought to the CMO, the police reached the venue and brought the shutters down. Moreover, a probe has also been initiated against the shop owner.
The incident comes at a time when the state on Monday reported the highest single day surge of 1,725 COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 46,140 while 13 deaths took the toll to 169.
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