Rajendra Singh Bhasin vs Union Of India & Ors.

By filing the present petition, the petitioner seeks a direction to the respondent authorities for release of the amount lying to his credit in the Public Provident Fund (PPF) account maintained with the respondent No.3, which, as reflected in the passbook, stands at Rs.11,05,574/-. The petitioner has prayed for following relief(s):-

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has deposited the amount in his PPF account maintained with the respondent No.3 and, as per the entries reflected in the passbook, an amount of Rs.11,05,574/- is lying to the credit of the petitioner. It is submitted that despite the amount being reflected in the PPF account, the same has not been disbursed to the petitioner. Learned counsel further submits that the petitioner had earlier approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Raipur, which, vide order dated 08.12.2021, directed payment of the amount of Rs.38,444/- along with interest applicable under the PPF Scheme, besides compensation and litigation expenses, and the said order was thereafter affirmed by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The petitioner thereafter submitted a representation before the respondent authorities seeking release of the amount, which has not been acted upon.

Learned counsel appearing for the respondents submits that, insofar as the amount of Rs.11,05,574/- reflected in the PPF account is concerned, the same is not disputed by the respondents. It is, however, submitted that the petitioner may approach the competent authority for release of the amount and, upon such approach, the respondents shall take necessary steps for disbursement of the amount in accordance with law.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, in view of the aforesaid stand taken by the respondents, the petitioner would approach the competent authority for release of the amount.

Considering the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties and the stand taken on behalf of the respondents, the petitioner is directed to approach the competent authority/respondent No.3 by way of a fresh representation for release of the amount of Rs.11,05,574/- within a period of 07 days from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. In the event the petitioner approaches the competent authority within the aforesaid period, the respondent authorities shall take necessary steps and disburse the aforesaid amount of Rs.11,05,574/- to the petitioner forthwith, in accordance with law, without insisting upon any further adjudication of the claim.

With the aforesaid direction, the present writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.