Bank debits Rs 12 for PM insurance; fined Rs 8,000

Ayyappan of Nanguneri in Tirunelveli, in his complaint, had stated that he was holding a SB account at the Nanguneri branch of Canara Bank. On May 28, 2015, Rs 24 was debited by the bank from his account without his consent. However, on June 4, 2015, Rs 12 was credited into his account. 

When he enquired with the bank officials about the transactions in his account, the Branch Manager failed to give a proper reply. Further, the manager without ascertaining details, insulted him referring to the meagre amount of transaction that had been done in his account. 

Later, an official of the branch had told him that the amount of Rs 12 was deducted towards payment for Prime Minister’s Insurance Scheme. In his petition, Ayyappan claimed that he had not volunteered for any such scheme and the bank had taken the money from his account without proper intimation. Hence, the consumer disputes redressal forum should direct the bank to provide a compensation of Rs1 lakh for the mental agony suffered by him, prayed the petitioner. 

However, the counsel representing the bank argued that the reason for deducting Rs 12 had been sent to the petitioner and there was no deficiency in service on the part of the bank. 

Also, the petition was filed with the malafide intention of making huge fortune So, the court should dismiss the petition, argued the counsel. 

R Narayanasamy, president, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Tirunelveli, observed that based on the proof submitted by both the sides it was evident that the bank had withdrawn Rs 24 and then credited Rs 12 back without the consent of the petitioner. So, the forum directed the bank to pay Rs 8,000 for deficiency in service and mental agony to the petitioner.