DIRECTOR OF SMALL SAVINGS Vs. P RAMAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONERS were opposite parties before the District Forum in a complaint filed by the respondent. Dispute pertained to claim of the complainant for the prize, being the Maruti Car "Omni" or 25 H.P. H.M.T. Tractor with a trailer which it is said he was entitled to on the basis of draw of the gift coupons and he being holder of the prize winning gift coupon bearing No.C.I. 0927371. It was under the scheme for savings announced by the Government of India for the mobilization of funds for developmental activities in a State. For this purpose, Tamil Nadu Government announced a District Level Gift Linked Savings Mobilisation Scheme under which free gift coupons were to be given to the investors for over Rs.500/- invested in a particular scheme.

(2.) SINCE neither the Omni Van nor the Tractor was given to the respondent, he filed a complaint with the District Forum. He had invested Rs.5,000/- in time deposit for a period of 5 years by giving necessary and requisite application in the Branch Post Office in his village. He was issued a passbook and he was also given gift coupons. In the draw held Ticket No.C.I. 0927371 was declared to be the winner of the bumper prize either Maruti Omni Van or 25 H.P. H.M.T. Tractor. Prize was denied to the complainant on the ground that there was one another person by the same name Raman of the same village who also happened to have invested Rs.5,000/- and was given a pass book and it was stated that it was he who was the holder of the prize winning ticket in C.I. series. Complainant said that he was though not present in the draw, but he came to know of his first prize winning ticket. He said his prize winning ticket was taken away by Block Development Officer and Tahsildar along with the passbook for verification and few days thereafter pass book was returned to him and he was promised that the 1st prize would be given to him in due course. Since nothing happened, he approached the Collector and made him a petition but there was no response.

(3.) THE matter came in appeal before the State Commission by the complainant. State Commission observed that at the fag end of the hearing of the arguments they made inquiry and it was found that the other Raman of the same name as the complainant had also not been given the prize if he was holder of the prize winning ticket. This led the State Commission to make enquiries. The case was re-opened and witnesses examined with full opportunity given to all the parties. State Commission examined 4 witnesses namely CW1, S. Ramesh, Assistant, Panchayat Union, Palladam. CW2, A. Sridharan, Co-operative Sub-Registrar, serving as Lecturer in Ramalingam Co-operative Institute, Coimbatore. CW3, E. Sarkar, Sub-Post Master, Sulthanpet. CW4, Mr. K. Balasubramaniam, Block Development Officer. During recording the evidence, it was noticed that a Register was kept in the office of the Collectorate pertaining to distribution of gift coupons under the savings scheme pertaining to CH and CI series.