P.K. Shamsuddin, President These appeals raise a common question and therefore they were heard together and disposed of by a common order. The Appeal No.539/96 is filed against the order passed by the District Forum. Thrissur, in O.P. No. 1299/95 and the Appeal No. 540/96 is filed against the order passed by the same District Forum in O.P. No.1298/95. The complainants are the appellants.

2. The allegations contained in the complaint and the averments raised in the version are also similar. The complainant is a registered partnership firm represented by its Managing Partner. The complainant has branches and are having several buses plying on several routes.

The complainant in O.P. No. 1299/95 booked two passenger vehicle chassises with the opposite party as per order dated 25-2-1995 and an advance of Rs. 50,000/ - was also paid as directed by the opposite parties on that day. The complainant alleged that in the order given by the opposite parties it was clearly stated that the delivery of the vehicle would be made within 8 to 10 weeks from the date of the order. Subsequently as directed by the opposite parties the complainant paid the full costs of the two vehicles by two Demand Drafts for Rs. 1,74.200/-. The total amount to be paid for the two vehicles came to Rs. 8.54.200/-. It was also alleged that finance had to be arranged by the complainant from the Kerala Financial Corporation on payment of interest at the rate of 17% per annum. The full cost of the vehicles was paid by the complainant. There was culpable delay gross deficiency in service and breach of obligation on the part of the opposite parties in the matter of delivery of the vehicle. There was also unjust enrichment on' their part. All through the period the amount was lying with the opposite parties without delivering the vehicle to the complainant through the complainant had to pay interest on the amounts arranged and borrowed.

3. In O.P. No. 1298/95 also the complainant is a registered partnership firm and has several buses plying on different routes and the complainant placed orders for new chassises in connection with transport business of the complainant. They also had to raise loan from the Kerala Financial Corporation. Palakkad and the Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd. Shoranur, on payment of interest at 17% per annum. An amount of Rs.25.000/-each was paid for four chassises. The complainant was assured delivery within 8 to 10 weeks from the date of the order. After payment of advance amount of Rs.1,00.000/- on 25-2-1995 the complainant had as per the direction of the opposite parties remitted the entire amount representing the value of four chassises. The total amount including the advance paid on 25-2-1995 came to Rs.16.08,400/-. These payments were made on 18-3-1995 and 27-3-1995. In spite of the assurance and undertaking given by the opposite parties delivery was delayed. One vehicle was delivered on 126-1995 and the second vehicle on 30-61995 and the remaining two vehicles only on 13-7-1995. The complainant who obtained loans from financial institutions was put to serious hardship and difficulty since the amounts were lying locked up without any benefit to the complainant and all through that period the opposite parties were taking undue advantage of the situation and also unjustly enriching themselves. In the circumstances there is gross deficiency in service on the part of the opposite parties in the matter of delivering the vehicles and they have also committed unfair trade practice. The complainants alleged that there was price hike and because of the delay they had to pay the enhanced price. Letters were sent to the opposite parties in this connection but they did not send a reply and finally a notice through a lawyer was sent to which the opposite parties sent a reply requesting that no legal action would be taken within 3 weeks. That period was also over and it is in those circumstances the complaints were filed.

4. The District Forum by short orders h