Consumer panel comes to rescue of two poor patients

Tribune News Service
Mohali, February 25

The Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission gave a jolt to the Senior State Medical Commissioner (SSMC) of the ESIC, Chandigarh, who appealed against the District Consumer Forum order for reimbursement of medical bills of two poor patients, along with compensation of Rs 10,000 each, to both complainants.

Giving details, Amanjot Kaur, the counsel for the complainants, Joginder Singh, an employee of M/s Sigma in Mohali, and Mahatam Prajapati, an employee of M/s Saini Concrete System Private Limited, also in Mohali, said both were given relief by the Mohali District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum by directing the ESIC authorities to not only reimburse their respective medical bills, but also to pay Rs 15,000 along with Rs 5,000 as litigation expenses to each patient.

The counsel added that Joginder had submitted medical bill of Rs 9,822 with the ESIC Dispensary in Mohali on February 28, 2015 and reimbursement was given to him on February 28, 2017. “Similarly, Mahatam Prajapati submitted medical bills of Rs 5,526 and Rs 27,288 with the ESIC Dispensary in Mohali on June 20, 2015. As there was delay in reimbursement, both the patients approached the District Consumer Forum in 2017. During the pendency of both the complainants’ cases their medical bills were reimbursed in February and June 2018, respectively,” the counsel said.

“Later in July, the forum decided both the cases in favour of Joginder Singh and Mahatam Prajapati with compensation of Rs 15,000 and Rs 5,000 as litigation expenses to each of them,” the counsel added.

The SSMC after complying with orders of the district forum in both the cases filed appeals with the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Punjab, the counsel said.

The state commission while dismissing appeals in both the cases also ordered Rs 10,000 compensation in each case to be deposited by the SSMC along with interest, if any, with the district forum, the counsel added. Further, the district forum ordered the complainants to approach it for the release of compensation, the counsel said.

Complainants to get Rs 10,000 relief each 

The state commission while dismissing appeals in both cases also ordered Rs 10,000 compensation in each case to be deposited by the Senior State Medical Commissioner of the ESIC, along with interest, if any, with the district forum, the counsel added. Further, the district forum ordered the complainants to approach it for the release of compensation, the counsel said.