Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (KSCDRC) has upheld a lower forum order directing the postal department to compensate for delayed delivery of rare medicines to an asthmatic patient.
The complainant, M. Praveena of Ramdas Nagar, Kasargod, had bronchial asthma.
She was also undergoing treatment for allergy in the Medical College Hospital, Calicut. Hence, she was taking a rare combination of medicines supplied by the hospital.
For around four years the drugs were being delivered to her through Speed Post. Also, they had to be kept under refrigeration soon after delivery.
On February 28, 2014, a parcel containing drugs reached the RD Nagar Post Office, Kudlu. The officials delivered the medicine only on March 03, 2014.
Because of delay, the continuity of medication was broken causing immunodeficiency. Therefore, she filed a complaint against postmaster Kasthuri and postman Guru Prasad with the Kasargod Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum.
The officials contested that the non-delivery of the parcel was due to heavy workload on that day in the locality of around 900 households.
On an appreciation of evidence, forum found that there was a deficiency of service and ordered a compensation of Rs 10,000 and a cost of Rs 3000. An appeal was filed, but the commission upheld the judgement as postal officials could not give evidence for the excess workload they had.
