SECRETARY Vs. AREA MANAGER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner was the complainant before the District Forum, where he had filed a complaint alleging deficiency in service on the part of the respondent National Seed Corporation.

(2.) Very briefly the facts of the case are that the 8 farmers in Niranam Panchayat had purchased different quantity of seeds produced by the respondent National Seeds Corporation(NSC) and distributed through concerned Agricultural Officer. It was the case of the complainants that when the seeds were sown, only 25% germinated and that is on account of the poor quality of seeds supplied by the respondent NSC resulting in loss to the farmers. It is in this perspective, 8 farmers approached the Consumer Protection and Guidance Society, the petitioner before us, to help redress the grievance. It is in these circumstances that a complaint was filed on behalf of 8 farmers by the Secretary, Consumer Protection and Guidance Society, Thiruvalla before the District Forum and contested the case on behalf of the complainants. The District Forum after hearing the parties at length allowed the complaint and directed the respondent to pay the purchase price of 348 kg of Basumathy seed along with transportation charges of Rs.700, Rs.10,000 for re -preparation of field, Rs.2,500 as compensation and cost of Rs.1,500. This money was to be given to the petitioner who has to distribute this amount to the 8 farmers after retaining some amount for himself. Aggrieved by this order, the respondent NSC filed appeal before the State Commission, who allowed the appeal and dismissed the complaint. Aggrieved by this order, this revision petition has been filed before us.

(3.) There is delay of 44 days in filing this revision petition, for which an application for condonation of delay has been filed. In view of the explanation given the delay of 44 days in filing the revision petition, is condoned.