Railways ordered to pay compensation to victim of rat bite on running train
SALEM, SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 00:00 IST
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Southern Railway to pay Rs. 32,000 as compensation to a passenger who was bitten by a rat on a running train.
P. Venkatachalam of Koottathupatti village in Vazhappadi block, in his complaint to the Forum, had stated that the incident happened when he was travelling by Salem – Chennai Express on August 8, 2014. When he tried to take his bag that was under the seat, a rat bit his index finger causing pain and bleeding.
He brought it to the notice of the train ticket examiner, who told him that there was no medicine in the first-aid box. However, he promised treatment when the train reached Vridhachalam junction.
Mr. Venkatachalam approached the station master after the train reached Vridhachalam junction, but he was told that there was no medicine available in the station. He registered a complaint in the complaints register at the station.
After the receipt of complaint, the station master gave him a copy with a false endorsement as if first-aid was given to the complainant.
The station master assured Mr. Venkatachalam proper treatment at the Egmore Railway Station. But, no one took care of the complainant at the Egmore station. The complainant said that he took treatment in a private hospital in Chennai and later at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital in Salem city.
A few days later, the complainant received a letter from the Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division, stating that proper first-aid was given to the complainant.
Venkatachalam preferred a complaint with the Forum through the Federation of Consumer Organisations-Tamil Nadu (FEDCOT), seeking compensation for the mental agony he suffered and the expenses incurred for the treatment.
The Railways in its reply stated that first-aid was given to the complainant through a Siddha doctor who was travelling in the same coach. Though he was requested to stay back at Vridhachalam station for further treatment, he preferred to continue his journey. He did not utilise the emergency medical service at Egmore, it said.
The Forum, presided by R.V. R. Deenadayalan, president, and S. Rajalakshmi, member, observed that Railways was a major establishment and it was duty bound to keep the coaches clean. It was mandatory on the part of the Railways to stock the first-aid box with emergency medicines.
Deficiency in service
The failure of the Railways to keep the coaches clean and to stock the first-aid box with emergency medicines amounted to deficiency in service.
SALEM, SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 00:00 IST
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Southern Railway to pay Rs. 32,000 as compensation to a passenger who was bitten by a rat on a running train.
P. Venkatachalam of Koottathupatti village in Vazhappadi block, in his complaint to the Forum, had stated that the incident happened when he was travelling by Salem – Chennai Express on August 8, 2014. When he tried to take his bag that was under the seat, a rat bit his index finger causing pain and bleeding.
He brought it to the notice of the train ticket examiner, who told him that there was no medicine in the first-aid box. However, he promised treatment when the train reached Vridhachalam junction.
Mr. Venkatachalam approached the station master after the train reached Vridhachalam junction, but he was told that there was no medicine available in the station. He registered a complaint in the complaints register at the station.
After the receipt of complaint, the station master gave him a copy with a false endorsement as if first-aid was given to the complainant.
The station master assured Mr. Venkatachalam proper treatment at the Egmore Railway Station. But, no one took care of the complainant at the Egmore station. The complainant said that he took treatment in a private hospital in Chennai and later at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital in Salem city.
A few days later, the complainant received a letter from the Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division, stating that proper first-aid was given to the complainant.
Venkatachalam preferred a complaint with the Forum through the Federation of Consumer Organisations-Tamil Nadu (FEDCOT), seeking compensation for the mental agony he suffered and the expenses incurred for the treatment.
The Railways in its reply stated that first-aid was given to the complainant through a Siddha doctor who was travelling in the same coach. Though he was requested to stay back at Vridhachalam station for further treatment, he preferred to continue his journey. He did not utilise the emergency medical service at Egmore, it said.
The Forum, presided by R.V. R. Deenadayalan, president, and S. Rajalakshmi, member, observed that Railways was a major establishment and it was duty bound to keep the coaches clean. It was mandatory on the part of the Railways to stock the first-aid box with emergency medicines.
Deficiency in service
The failure of the Railways to keep the coaches clean and to stock the first-aid box with emergency medicines amounted to deficiency in service.
No comments:
Post a Comment