India, May 23 -- Union minister of consumer affairs Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said that he has ordered a probe into exorbitant cancellation charges being imposed by online air ticket booking platforms. Joshi said that charging beyond what is disclosed at the time of booking undermines the transparency and consumer trust.

"I have directed the Department of Consumer Affairs and CCPA to investigate whether online ticket booking platforms are imposing excessive cancellation charges on consumers, beyond what is charged by airlines or disclosed at the time of booking. Have directed them to check other online ticket booking platforms too," Joshi wrote on X.

He added that if such practices are found to be unfair or in violation of consumer righ...