JUDGMENT

Dipak Misra, J.

The appellant-complainant filed a batch of 21 complaints i.e. C.D. Nos.539 to 559 of 2000, claiming compensation of Rs.43.59 lacs along with interest @ 18% p.a. from the respondents, namely, United India Insurance Company Limited and India Transport Organization, on the ground that there had been shortage/loss of 'All Aluminium Alloy Conductor' (for short, 'AAAC') wire, which was supplied by the complainant to the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL). The case of the complainant before the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ranga Reddy District (for short, 'the District Forum') was that between 1.3.1998 to 13.4.1998, twenty-one trucks of AAAC wire packed in wooden drums were delivered at stores of PGCIL at Assam. In all the trucks shortage was noticed by PGCIL on 25th March, 1998. As there was shortage, which is called transit-loss for which the appellant had taken a policy from the insurer, it put forth a claim before the insurer for Rs.35 lacs. The said claim was lodged before the insurance company vide letter dated 3rd April, 1998.

2. On the basis of the communication made by the appellant, the insurer appointed a surveyor who gave a report on