TGRTC directed to pay Rs 4 lakh as compensation to Nalgonda regional manager

HYDERABAD: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-I, Hyderabad directed the TGRTC to pay Rs 4,05,168 to R. Krishna Rao, a former Nalgonda regional manager, as refund, compensation and costs.

Krishna, who retired in 1995, contracted Covid-19 in August, 2022, and spent Rs 3,60,168 for his treatment. When Krishna reached out to the corporation for reimbursement of medical expenses, it did not acknowledge he plea.

When Krishna reached out to the consumer forum, the TGRTC denied the allegations, and contended that he had misguided the commission to extract money from the corporation. It contended that the complainant had not hired or availed any service from Krishna for consideration, therefore, he was not a consumer, and the complaint is not maintainable.

The corporation stated that the patient had to go to the TGRTC Hospital, Tarnaka for treatment, which he had not done. If treatment was not available, he would have been directed to a referral hospital.

It said that Krishna had submitted the original bills on 29.12.2022 but took them back and never returned them. Original documents are crucial for processing the medical claim, it said.

The forum noted that the corporation, after `20,000, had sold the ‘APSRTC Retired Employees Medical Facility Card 2003’ to its retired employees and issued identity cards. The corporation had not submitted documentary evidence to show that the medical service was provided free.

The forum noted that non-settlement of medical expenses of the complainant was against the principles of natural justice and fair play. It directed the RTC to pay Krishna Rs 3,60,168 towards medical expenses, Rs 30,000 for harassment and mental anguish and `15,000 towards costs.