Patna : The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Patna, has directed Punjab National Bank’s Bakhtiyarpur-Khusrupur branch to credit Rs 7,325 to a customer’s account, along with interest, compensation and litigation expenses, in a case involving the alleged failure to credit payments received against two Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) cheques.
The order was passed in Consumer Complaint Case No. 29/2022, filed by Mishri Lal. The commission allowed the complaint after examining the case details and available records.
Under the order, the bank must pay 4% simple annual interest on Rs 7,325 from April 9, 2022, the date the complaint was filed, until payment. It must also pay Rs 10,000 as compensation for mental and physical harassment and Rs 5,000 towards litigation expenses.
Bank Failed To Credit EPFO Cheque Payments
According to the complaint, the EPFO had issued two cheques in favour of Mishri Lal. Although payment against the cheques was received, the concerned bank branch allegedly failed to credit the amount to his account.
The commission reportedly issued repeated notices and letters to the bank branch during the proceedings. However, the branch neither appeared before the commission nor submitted a response to the allegations.
After considering the available records, the commission ruled in favour of the complainant and directed the bank to make the specified payments.
Bank Given 20 Days To Comply
The commission directed Punjab National Bank to comply with the order within 20 days of receiving a copy of it.
The order further states that if the bank fails to comply within the stipulated period, interest at the rate of 8% per annum will apply to the amount payable thereafter, as specified by the commission.
The order was passed by Prem Ranjan Mishra, President of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Patna, and Rajnish Kumar, Member.
The case highlights the consumer redressal mechanism available to customers seeking remedies for alleged deficiencies in banking services.
