State Consumer Commission Chandigarh.
The Chandigarh Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal at Chandigarh has set aside the order of the Chief Medical Superintendent, Northern Railway Division, Ambala Cantt, refusing to reimburse the medical bills of an 86-year-old retired employee. Kat gave it a
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Petition was filed in CAT
Applicant Ramesh Chander Sharma, who retired as Chief Parcel Supervisor of Railways in 1995, had filed the petition in CAT. He told that on September 6, 2022, he was admitted to Fortis Hospital in Mohali in emergency. Doctors had recommended immediate surgery due to obstructed incisional hernia. Rs 6.45 lakh were spent on this treatment.
Central Administrative Tribunal.
Railway hospital refused reimbursement
Ramesh Chander had applied for reimbursement under medical claim. The Medical Officer of Railway’s Kalka Hospital argued that due to the patient being treated in an unrecognized private hospital without referral, payment would be made only as per CGHS rates. Due to this only 32,027 were reimbursed.
pay the remaining amount
CAT said that the applicants are senior citizens and their medical condition was emergency. In such a situation, the Railway order was declared illegal and canceled. CAT directed the Railway Authority to review the matter and ensure payment of the balance amount of the medical claim to the applicant.
Responsibility of railway authority fixed
CAT also clarified that Railways should make the rules flexible for treatment in emergency situations, so that senior citizens can get relief. This decision ensures protection of rights of retired employees and accessibility of emergency medical services.