SABITA MUKHERJEE vs BRANCH MANAGER, LIC OF INDIA

THIS petition is directed against the order of the State Commission dismissing the complaint of Sabita Mukherjee - complainant on appeal filed by the respondent - Life Insurance Corporation of India. Her complaint was allowed by the District Forum. When this matter came up before us on 1.3.2002 we passed the following order : "Complainant is the petitioner. She was a policy holder from the respondent-Insurance Company and was paying her premium near her place of residence. That place was changed and it was stated that it was done to streamline the working of the respondent, Life Insurance Corporation. Her complaint was that she had to go a long distance to pay her premium now. Complaining deficiency in service she went to District Forum. Her complaint was allowed. However, on appeal by the respondent, Insurance Company, order of the District Forum was set aside. It rather appears that when there is on-line banking, why the petitioner is asked to deposit her premium at a particular place when it is not convenient to her. Admit. Since the petitioner is not appearing in spite of notice, we appoint Mr. Ambar Qamaruddin, Advocate, 120, Lawyers'' Chambers, Supreme Court, New Delhi-110 001 (Ph. No. 3389465, Mob. 9810066903), as Amicus Curiae on behalf of the petitioner. We direct the Registry to send a complete set of paper book to Mr. Qamaruddin at the address shown above. A copy of this order shall be sent to the President of the NCDRC Bar Association to make payment of Rs. 2,000/- to Mr. Qamaruddin to meet his out of pocket expenses. A copy of this order shall also be sent to the petitioner. Issue Notice to the respondent returnable on 10th May, 2002."

DISTRICT Forum had directed that LIC should accept all the premia for the policy of the complainant if tendered at the Baranagar Branch of the LIC. It was here that complainant was paying earlier her premia for the policy taken by her. DISTRICT Forum, however, did not award any cost to the complainant. Against this order LIC went in appeal before the State Commission, which as noted above, allowed the same and dismissed the complaint. However, on notice being issued to the LIC now it is stated before us that under the policy now in vogue premia can be deposited anywhere in Kolkata. It was, therefore, submitted that this petition had become infructuous and the complainant could not have any grievance. We feel complainant has to be compensated for all the trouble which she has to take in approaching us. We, therefore, dispose of this petition and award Rs. 5,000/- as costs to the complainant. Out of this a sum of Rs. 2,500/- shall be paid by the LIC to the NCDRC Legal Aid Fund. This amount shall be paid by means of cheque/draft in the name of President, NCDRC, Bar Association and sent to the office of the Bar Association at 5th Floor, ''A'' Wing, Janpath Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001. Balance amount of Rs. 2,500/- shall be paid to the complainant. Revision Petition disposed of.