A widow is entitled to claim medical reimbursement for her deceased husband's treatment under BSNL rules if proper documentation is presented.

ORDER

Per: Mr. Anindo Majumdar, Administrative Member:

The applicant has approached this Tribunal under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunal Act , 1985 praying for the following relief(s):

“a) To reimburse Rs. 9,80,000/- towards medical bills which was incurred for the treatment of the deceased husband the ex-employee of the applicant immediately alongwith interest.

b) To pass such other or further relief or reliefs, order or orders, directions or directions as to this Hon'ble Tribunal may seem fit and proper.

c) To pass such other relief or reliefs that the applicants may be found to be entitled.

d) To quash and set aside the order dated April 24, 2024 at Annexure a/5.”

2. The applicant is the widow of Late Syed Nurul Islam, who was an employee and pensioner of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The husband of the applicant was admitted in Woodlands Multi Speciality Hospital, Kolkata for treatment in November 2016 and had expired on 18.12.2016. The applicant had submitted a claim to the competent respondent authority seeking reimbursement of an amount of Rs.9,80,000/ that had been incurred by her for treatment of her husband. The applicant has filed this Original Application seeking the above mentioned relief(s) since according to her, the above mentioned claim has not yet been sanctioned by the competent responding authority.

3. Heard the Ld. Counsel for the parties and considered the material on record.

4. At hearing, Ld. Counsel for the applicant submitted that her husband Late Syed Nurul Islam, an ex-employee and pensioner of BSNL, was admitted in Woodlands Multi Speciality Hospital on 22.11.2016 in under an emergency/ critical condition and that he passed away on 18.12.2016 while he was undergoing treatment in the said hospital. He further submitted that after his demise, the applicant had submitted during the month of March, 2017 a claim seeking reimbursement of a sum of Rs. 9.8 lakhs incurred for the indoor treatment of her husband at Woodlands Multi Speciality Hospital, Kolkata to the respondent authority. He further submitted that although the applicant was informed by the AGM/Admn./BA – East, BSNL, Calcutta Telephones, vide his email dated October 5, 2020 (Annexure 2) that an amount of Rs.2,03,099/ has been approved for payment to her against her claim she has not yet received the said amount. Ld. Counsel for the applicant further submitted that the applicant was asked to submit all the documents in support of her claim of Rs.9.8 lakhs vide the said email and that the applicant had accordingly submitted all the requisite documents. He further submitted that as directed by this Tribunal during hearing held on 25/04/2025, the AGM/Administration/ East, Calcutta Telephones BSNL had convened a meeting in his office on 16.05.2025, which was attended by her advocate since she could not attend the same in person and that the requisite documents sought by the respondents had been submitted to the respondent authority. Ld. Counsel for the applicant further submitted that during hearing on 05/08/2025, the applicant was directed by the Tribunal to place copies of all documents in support of her claim by way of an affidavit and that she had complied with the said order by filing an Affidavit enclosing the requisite documents. Ld. Counsel further submitted that when the matter was next heard on 07/08/2025, he was directed by the Tribunal to serve a copy of the affidavit filed by him to the Ld. Counsel for the respondents and that he had complied with the said directions of the Tribunal.

5. At hearing, Ld. Counsel for the respondents submitted that as directed by the Tribunal during hearing held on 25.04.2025, a meeting was convened by the AGM/Admin/East, BSNL, Calcutta Telephones in his office on 16.05.2025 at 1