A home-maker has taken the Postal Department to task for the latter’s negligence. After winning the fight in the District Consumer Court, Meena Juneja of Vidya Nagar in Guntur took it to the A.P. State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, which, too, confirmed the order vindicating her stand.
Juneja had sent a consignment of sarees on January 21, 2012 to her cousin in Jodhpur through Express Parcel Post (EPP), a customised air parcel service meant for retail and business clients. But, after delivery, it was found that the parcel had been tampered with, and the sarees were found missing.
Another parcel, sent on April 17, 2012 to Jodhpur, also met with the same fate, prompting Meena to register written complaint with the Superintendent of Post Office, Guntur.
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“I was shocked to find the sarees worth Rs. 38,510 missing. The parcels were opened, sarees were taken out and the parcel was stitched back. I suspect that an organised network of crooks is behind this,” said an aggravated Meena.
The Postal Superintendents contended that the post offices in Guntur and Jodhpur were not aware of contents of the parcels. Further, they said that Ms. Meena had not insured the articles under clauses 172, 173 of Post Office Guide Part-1.
Meena, then filed a case in District Consumer Forum after lengthy arguments, won the case in May, 2013 with the Forum directing the Superintendent of Post Office to pay Rs.15,405 with an interest of 9 % from the date of compliant.
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The Post Office superintendent filed an appeal against the Forum’s order in A.P. State Consumer Disputes Redressal commission, Hyderabad, but the latter dismissed their appeals, directing the post office to pay another Rs. 5,000 to Meena to compensate for cost of appeal.
The State consumer commission said based on the inquiry report, it was found that contents of the parcel had been tampered with and added that the transmission of the parcel had not been done in accordance with norms and procedures. It also found that the documental transmission details of the parcel were incomplete.
“It is observed that the postal authorities have to take precautions by prescribing a particular proforma for dispatching consignments mentioning the value and contents with a clause of liability for damage or non-delivery under any circumstances,” the commission said.
“It has been two years, but my fight has not ended. Even though the district and state forums have given their orders, post offices remained highly unresponsive. This kind of negligence will shatter our faith in Indian Postal service,” Meena said.