District Educational Officer vs M. KRISHNANKUTTY

THIS appeal is directed against the order passed by the District Forum, Palakkad, in O.P. No. 1087/93. The opposite parties are appellants.

THE allegation in the complaint is that while the complainant was working as a teacher in an aided school in the erstwhile Madras State, he had remitted his contribution to the Teachers Provident Fund under the Madras Education Rules. He had worked in that capacity till 1956 and afterwards he worked under the Malabar District Board and subsequently under the Government Service. He retired from the service in 1979, but no steps were taken to disburse the provident Fund amount. The opposite party filed objection stating that the D.E.O. had issued orders on 24.8.1973 authorising A.E.O. to withdraw the entire amounts i.e. Rs. 332.25 plus interest from the post office and disburse the same to the complainant.

The District Forum found that there is deficiency in service and in that view an order was passed by the District Forum directing the opposite party to pay to the complainant Rs. 2,000/- as compensation and also to take necessary action for disbursement of the arrears.

FEELING aggrieved by the said order this appeal has been preferred. We find the conduct of the opposite party is not satisfactory. The complainant retired in 1979 and till now his Provident Fund claim has not been settled. However, we have held that this is not a matter which would fall within the purview of the Consumer Protection Act. The representative appeared for the appellant submitted that the amount will be disbursed within two months. This submission is recorded. The appeal is disposed of as above. Appeal disposed of.