K. Madhuri Latha. Member - The opposite party in O.P. No. 46/1995 of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Idukki, is the appellant. The appeal is directed against the order of the Forum dated 31-51995.

2. The complainant's case is that on 1012-94 he purchased a gold chain, a bangle, a locket and a finger ring from the opposite party who is a firm of gold merchants doing business at Thodupuzha. The total weight of the ornaments was 19.110 grams and the price was Rs. 8,293.75. The complainant alleges that Rs. 583/- was realised by the opposite party as "value addition" which is an unfair trade practice and demands the said amount to be awarded in his favour with Rs. 750/- as costs.

3. The opposite party filed version contending that there is no law fixing the price of gold ornaments. Value addition has legal sanction and there is no violation of any law. The District Forum dispened the contention of the opposite party and allowed the complaint as prayed for. Aggrieved by this the opposite party has come in appeal. The issue being a question of importance to all gold merchants, the All Kerala Gold Mersihant's Association got impleaded in the appeal represented by its Sec