JUDGMENT

1. Heard Mr. Mohammad Shiraz, learned Counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Jose Kuriakose, learned Standing Counsel for the respondents.

2. The petitioner is a retired employee of the Food Corporation of India (hereinafter referred to as ‘FCI’) from the post of Assistant Gr. I (Depot) on 31.10.2013 on attaining the age of superannuation after putting in 40 years in the FCI. Petitioner is a member of the FCI Post Retirement Medical Scheme (PRMS).

3. The petitioner was diagnosed to be suffering from low grade Papillary Urothelial Carcinoma and the Doctors treating him suspected the tumor to have malignant tendencies. Initially the petitioner consulted the Amritha Institute of Medical Science, Kochi, one of the hospitals empaneled under the PRMS. However, according to the petitioner, there was delay in the Amrita Institute of Medical Science, Kochi to perform the robotic surgery to remove the tumor. As the Cancer is a fast spreading disease, the petitioner went to Aster Medicity, Kochi (not empaneled) and got robotic surgery performed to remove the tumor. Initially the petitioner’s claim for reimbursement of Rs. 3,64,126/- which was the medical bill raised by the Aster Medicity, K