PARAMANANDA NAYAK Vs. ADDITIONAL CHIEF DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The complainant has filed this petition against the opposite party claiming compensation of Rs.5,50,000/- on account of negligence in transmitting his pension papers and other relevant documents to the authority concerned.

(2.) The facts of the case stated in brief are that the complainant was appointed by the Director of Family Welfare, Orissa as a B. E. E. and retired from the service on 1.12.1989 after being declared invalid by the State Medical Board, Orissa. After retirement, the appointing authority directed him vide his letter No.2902 dated 1.2.1991 to submit the pension papers to the Medical Officer, Deva P. H. C. or to the Addl. Chief Dist. Medical Officer, Sambalpur by post, since the complainant expressed his inability to move in person to a distant place by bus for submitting the same. Accordingly the valuable documents in duplicate duly signed and attested by the S. D. M. O. , Jaipur were submitted through Regd. Post with A. D. vide receipt No.3354 dated 25.8.1992 from Devidwar Post Officer, Jaipur. But there was inordinate delay of about 20 months for settlement of his pension, gratuity, pay, etc. which was not paid by the opposite party inspite of several requests in writing. The inaction of the opposite party had caused mental and financial agony apart from physical strain. Hence the complaint.

(3.) We have heard the learned Counsels for the parties at length.