INDIA POST TOLD TO PAY RS 15,000

Complainant fails to appear for interview due to late delivery of application.

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 18

Dream of a candidate to become a Child Protection Officer was shattered as India Post failed to deliver his job application letter on time. 

A District Consumer Court has now penalised India Post, North Division, Sector 17, with Rs 15,000 on his complaint as he could not make it for the interview.

Yogesh Kumar, a native of Hoshiarpur, averred in his plaint that he posted a speed post letter from Hoshiarpur post office on August 6 for the post advertised by the Union Territory, Child Protection Society under the aegis of Director (Social Welfare), Chandigarh Administration. 

The last date for sending the application was August 11, 2014. As per the tracking details of the letter, it was at Chandigarh on August 8. But to Yogesh's utter dismay when he appeared for the interview on August 13, he came to know that his name was not listed for the interview as his application was not received. When he enquired from India Post, he was told the letter was lying at Chandigarh only. Following this, he sent a legal notice to it to redress the grievance but to no avail. 

In its reply to the forum, India Post stated that the Central Government or its postal officers were exempted from any liability or loss, mis-delivery or delay or damage to any postal article in course of transmission by post as per Section 6 of the Indian Post Office Act. It was further said that the envelope had cryptic address, thus, the article remained at the delivery centre for ascertainment of correct address. Thereafter, the complainant went to the delivery centre for the disposal of article on August 13 and it was delivered the same day.

What the forum said...

"...The opposite party (India Post) cannot run from its liability under the garb of Section 6. Certainly due to this negligent act, the dream of the complainant is shattered as he missed and could not avail one golden opportunity of becoming a Child Protection Officer as his application could not reach the destination due to the deficient service of the party which caused him a lot of mental agony and physical harassment for which he is entitled to be compensated...," read the court order.

The forum ordered to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation for harassment and deficient service, beside Rs 5,000 as litigation expenses.