Karnataka - Mysore   

Postal department asked to pay compensation for deficiency of service

Mysore: The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has upheld an order of the State Commission which asked the postal department to pay compensation of Rs. 12,000 for deficiency of service.

In a press release here, C.V. Nagaraj of the Mysore Grahakara Parishat said M.L. Gupta had complained to the Shimla District Forum that the postal department delivered his provident fund cheque to the wrong address and as a result there was a delay of several months in realising the cheque.

“The forum agreed with his complaint and ordered the postal department to pay him Rs. 12,000 as compensation for deficiency in service. Citing Section 6 of the Post Office Act in its defence, the postal department appealed to the State Consumer Commission Himachal Pradesh,” Mr Nagaraj said in the release.

“However, the State Commission observed that the Act was an archaic law. The commission also observed that in light of Article 14 (Equality Before Law) of the Constitution of India, the postal department was “misusing” Section 6 of the Act and dismissed the appeal,” according to Mr Nagaraj.

The postal department filed an appeal before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. But the National Commission upheld the order of the State Commission, he said.

As a result of this order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, the exemption from legal action enjoyed by the department in cases of loss/misdelivery/delay/damage of postal articles has been curtailed. “Most of these deficiencies in service are now covered by the Consumers’ Protection Act. Consumers can file a complaint if they have suffered loss due to deficiency in service and get compensation for the same,” he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Pure sciences staging a comeback
Visitors throng Karanji Lake
Rangayana still without head
Postal department asked to pay compensation for deficiency of service
Fix State Advisory Price for cane: growers
DNA test in baby swapping case

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu