Joseph P. George vs The Federal Bank Ltd.

Antony Dominic, J.—Petitioner submits that he had availed of an agricultural loan of Rs. 2 lacs from the respondent Bank in the year 2002. It is stated that default was committed and the Bank had filed O.A. No. 34/2007, which is pending. In the meanwhile, the Government of India announced the Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008.

Case of the petitioner is that he is entitled to have total waiver of the liability on the basis that he is a small farmer. It is stated that, on the basis that the petitioner has owned more land than what he actually owns, the Bank has declined to give the said benefit. Aggrieved by that, petitioner has filed Ext.P1 before the Grievance Redressal Officer of the respondent Bank. It is stated that even the said complaint remains unattended. It is in these circumstances, the writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondent to extend the benefit of total waiver.

In my view, it is an issue which has to be dealt with by the Grievance Redressal Officer. Having regard to the case of the petitioner that he has complained vide Ext.P1 before the said Officer, it is directed that the petitioner will produce a copy of this judgment along with a copy of the writ petition before the Grievance Redressal Officer of the respondent Bank, in which event, the said Officer will consider the grievance of the petitioner and pass appropriate orders in the matter, provided such a complaint has been received and is pending. Orders on the complaint shall be passed, at any rate, within four weeks from the date of production of a copy of this judgment.

Writ petition is disposed of as above.