ATTENTION TO POSTMAN AND OFFICIALS- RESILIENT LITIGANT MAKES INDIA POST PAY

Dear Friends,

This is an example for unwanted losses to the Department, Postman & Mail branch officials in our departments require more attention to deliver the article to the public for avoiding such losses.

Pune Mirror | Dec 28, 2016, 02.30 AM IST

Prakash Ladkat, had intended to send the package, with his son’s job confirmation letter, to Bangalore. PIC: NIKHIL GHORPADE

By: Vicky Pathare

Postal dept shells out Rs 3,000 as compensation for failing to deliver Rs 40 speed post article for Bhawani Peth resident

Penalising the Indian postal department for deficiency in service, the permanent Lok Adalat in its judgment on December 23 ordered it to pay up Rs 3,000 as compensation to a consumer. Prakash Ladkat, a resident of Bhawani Peth, said that on June 7, he had sent a speed post package, making a payment of Rs 40. The package, containing the job confirmation letter of his son, was supposed to reach Bangalore.

The letter that was to be delivered via speed post through the Sir Parshuram (SP) College post office on Tilak Road was addressed to Pro- Team Solutions in Ganganagar, R T Nagar, Bangalore — the corporate head office of the company. However, instead of sending the package to Bangalore the next day, the article was returned back to the sender in Pune.

Speaking about the incident, Ladkat said, “Despite paying Rs 40, the article was returned to me, so I went to the Tilak Road post office the next day. But, the officials were very arrogant and had no interest in the delay caused. The post office claimed that it’s not their fault and they don’t have time to look into my problem.”

Moreover, one of the officials said that Ladkat would have to pay Rs 40 again if he wanted to resend it. “This attitude irked me as it was the department’s fault and I shouldn’t have to suffer. How many people like me have had to undergo this ordeal due to the department’s mismanagement?” he questioned.

After receiving a cold shoulder from authorities at SP College post office, Ladkat decided to move court against the facility. Ladkat’s lawyer, Mahendra Dalalkar, submitted the complaint on November 4. “During the hearing, we argued that it was a clear case of deficiency in service. The postal department’s mishandling put the applicant through physical and mental agony and also led to financial loss. A compensation for Rs 50,000 was also requested,” said Dalalkar.

However, India Post officials stated that the Centre or its postal officers are exempt from any liability for anything that happens to the items in course of transmission via post as per Section 6 of the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. According to the Act, “No officer of the post office be liable for any such loss, mis-delivery, delay or damage, unless he has caused it fraudulently or by his willful act or by default.”

The permanent Lok Adalat said, “India Post officials simply took refuge under the Act, which clearly points to deficiency in service on the part of India Post. Speed posts services are meant for time-bound deliveries and the department is at fault.” Following which, India Post office was ordered to pay Rs 3,000 as compensation and if it fails to do so within January 7, it should be paid with a seven per cent interest.

A V Deshmukh, head of the West division, under whose jurisdiction the S P College post office falls, said, “We are obliged to follow the court’s order. If a speed post order is lost or delayed there is a facility of compensation to be paid to the customer depending on the amount of monetary loss. The reason behind the mismanagement will be known only after inquiries are done. Action will be taken against the employee who is found guilty.”