BANK OF INDIA Vs. SANTOSH CHANDER ABROL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Bank of India has come up in appeal against the order dated 24.10.1996 passed by the learned District Forum, Ambala, whereby the complaint of Lt. Col. (Retd.) Santosh Chander Abrol alleging deficiency in service on the part of the Bank of India has been accepted and the Bank has been directed to pay to the complainant interest at the rate of 18% p. a. on the amount of Rs.40,024/- from the date it became due monthwise with effect from 1.1.1986 on wards alongwith Rs.500/- by way of costs of litigation.

(2.) The complainant had approached the District Forum with the grievance that after retirement from the Indian Army in 1979 he deposited the pensionary benefits received by him with the Bank of India, Branch Ambala Cantt. Though the Bank was duty bound to pay to the complainant the amount of pension correctly in accordance with the amounts received from the Government of India, yet there was grave discrepancy in rendering that service. When it was brought to the notice of the Bank, they admitted their fault and paid an additional amount of Rs.40,024/-, which was due to the complainant from March, 1986 to 1996. When the complainant demanded interest on this amount, the Bank declined his request and for the recovery thereof the complainant approached the learned District Forum.

(3.) In their reply, the Bank pleaded that the discrepancy had occurred due to some lack of communication on the part of the Bank and the Civil Defence Department under whose assistance the actual payment of pension was to be calculated. It was due to this reason that the complainant was being under-paid for about ten years. The learned District Forum rejected the plea raised by the Bank and allowed the complaint granting compensation by way of interest as aforesaid.