Misbehaviour costs Postal Dept fine of Rs 35,000

A consumer forum has directed the department of post to pay a compensation of R35,000 to a senior citizen for misbehaving with him at a designated counter by giving priority to a middle-aged woman while withdrawing money.

A consumer forum has directed the department of post to pay a compensation of R35,000 to a senior citizen for misbehaving with him at a designated counter by giving priority to a middle-aged woman while withdrawing money.

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CR Gautam, a Delhi resident had to wait for several hours at the counter specifically meant for senior citizens.

“The department of post, including the director general shall jointly pay R35,000 as compensation to Gautam for causing mental agony and harassment,” a south district consumer forum comprising president MC Mehra and member Vinay Singh said in their order.

The order was passed on a complaint filed by Gautam, alleging deficiency of service on the part of the department of post. The senior citizen had gone to GPO, New Delhi, on August 4, 2005 to withdraw R9,000, which he had invested in a monthly income scheme.

After filling the withdrawal slip, which was duly signed, he presented it to the counter marked for the senior citizens. However, the staff concerned was attending a woman of around 40 years and he was asked to wait. After waiting for a long time, he was asked to collect the money from the deputy post master but to his utter dismay, the official concerned was not on his seat. He again approached the counter staff who misbehaved and refused to clear the payment. PTI