A.CHELLADURAI Vs. THEREGISTRAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE request made by the petitioner to reimburse a sum of Rs.1,61,720/ - was negatived by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (hereinafter referred to as "BSNL"). The said order was upheld by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Madras Bench. The order dated 6 March 2014 in O.A.No. 1184 of 2012 is challenged in this writ petition.

(2.) THE petitioner after working as Sub Divisional Engineer, BSNL retired from service on attaining the age of superannuation on 31 March 2012. While working in BSNL, the petitioner was diagnosed with Prostatic Cancer. He was advised to undergo Robotic Assisted Radical Prostectomy Procedure (Operation) at the earliest. The petitioner initially consulted a Medical Officer at Global Hospital. Since there was no facility to conduct Robatic Assisted Radical Prostectomy at Chennai he was taken to Manipal Hospital at Bangalore. The petitioner paid a sum Rs.2,61,720/ - towards hospital charges in connection with the surgery. Since his son had taken group insurance scheme, the petitioner got a sum of Rs.1 lakh. The petitioner submitted an application to the third respondent requesting to sanction the balance sum of Rs.1,61,720/ -. The request was negatived on the ground that there are facilities in Chennai to conduct such operation and as such it is not possible to pay the amount.

(3.) THE third respondent sanctioned only a sum of Rs.17,500/ -. The petitioner challenged the order dated 24 November 2011 before the Central Administrative Tribunal. The Tribunal found that there are two hospitals namely, Apollo Hospital and R.G. Stone Hospital, Chennai approved by BSNL. According to the Tribunal, the petitioner was not justified in taking treatment from another hospital situated in the State of Karnataka, when there are approved hospitals in the State of Tamil Nadu. The Tribunal rejected the contentions taken by the petitioner with regard to reimbursement. The said order is challenged in this writ petition.