JUDGMENT :

JAYSHREE YENGAL, J.

1. This appeal challenges the order dtd. 3.1.2002 passed by District Consumer Forum Bhandara, partly allowing the consumer complaint bearing No.CC/01/272, whereby directing the opposite party/appellant herein to pay the complainant the maturity amount of Indira Vikas Patra purchased by the complainant after conducting due enquiry and inspection. Respondent Punjumal to be referred as complainant and the appellants – Union of India through Secretary, Department of Post & Telegraph and Others to be referred as the O.Ps. for the sake of brevity. Brief facts giving rise to this appeal are:-

Complainant Punjumal had purchased Indira Vikas Patra of Rs.20,000/- on 10.7.1993 for period of five years. The maturity of the said Indira Vikas Patra was on 10.7.1998 and the maturity amount would be Rs. 40,000/-. The complainant was given registration number 954 to 958 for 51-VP/39-B. It is the contention of the complainant that when he approached the o.p. to get the maturity amount of said Indira Vikas Patra he was informed by the o.p. that he could not be given the maturity amount as per Rule 12 (2) of the Post Office Rules in respect of Indira Vikas Patra. The Indira