In a case of negligence in release of funds to a retired employee, the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, Chandigarh UT, has directed Panjab University to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 for causing him mental agony and for not releasing his due amount.

The university has also been directed to issue a no-dues certificate to the complainant, release his pension, and refund Rs 16,668 of “forced” deduction from his provident fund.

G P Bansal, the complainant, who retired as executive engineer from PU on August 31, 2005, was sanctioned retirement benefits vide a letter dated July 28, 2005.

He was paid leave encashment and gratuity on the eve of his retirement.

He opted for the Irrevocable Pension Scheme and was allotted priority number 17. The whole amount of Rs 13,46,912 of his provident fund remained in deposit with the university, which should have been deducted and transferred to the University Pension Corpus Fund automatically, on receipt of the pension application forms. According to the complainant, he found that his pension case and the payment of PF dues were kept in abeyance because of outstanding advances against him, regarding which, he alleged, he was never informed. He added that without providing any opportunity to contest the allegations, he was held guilty by the university and his payments withheld.

Bansal further stated that he met with an accident on April 21, 2006, and was advised bed rest for 20-24 weeks. As he was in dire need of money, he addressed several representations to the vice-chancellor and his secretary, but to no avail.

... contd.