Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has upheld a lower forum order that directed a milk cooperative society to provide Rs 13,000 to a farmer who was denied compensation for his dead cow.
As per the by-laws of the society, it was liable to pay more than 60 per cent of the price of the cow in the event of its death on account of any disease or accident.
This was subject to availability of funds under the scheme maintained by the society. When his cow died, the complainant, farmer K.K. Sasi of Kainoor Thrissur sought a compensation of Rs 16,000. He was provided only Rs 3000 and he moved the consumer forum demanding compensation.
While the society did not cite any specific reason for denying him claim, they gave a different version before the consumer courts. It contested that Mr Sasi had defaulted in providing milk to the society and was not paying a subscription fee. They claimed that the compensation was provided only on humanitarian grounds.
The commission, while examining the evidence, found that there was no reason for the society to pay him Rs 3000 unless he was eligible for the claim. Also, the declared goal of the society was to improve the condition of milk producers. So apart from Rs 3000, an additional Rs 10,000 was ordered.
