POST MASTER POST OFFICE ALIPUR Vs. RUBI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Feeling aggrieved by the order dated 26.5.2004, passed by District Forum the appellant has preferred this appeal.

(2.) The main grievance of the appellant is against the award of interest @ 9% from the date of maturity till the delivery of the cheque for payment to the respondent low. Main contention of the Counsel for the appellant that there is no provision in the rules for payment of interest for the post maturity period, has no substance as it is the duty of the Post Office to make payment of the Bonds/fdrs on its maturity immediately the holder of it approaches it or writes to it, and the retention of the amount beyond the period of maturity is unauthorised and is, therefore, subject to payment of interest by the Post Office or by any other agencies on the bonds and FDRs as the case may be.

(3.) In the instant case Post Office took more than 6 months in making the payment of the bonds after the date of maturity and the refuge taken by the appellant that it is the time that was taken for correspondence with the respective Post Office from where the bonds were purchased, is of no consequence. Consumers or the bond holders are not supposed to suffer their right of full claim on the date of maturity and are not concerned as to how much time concerned authority takes in disbursing the amount of bonds after their maturity by way of correspondence with other Post Offices. Subscribers are only interested in getting the full claim of their bonds/fdrs on maturity.