Flight of fancy

I purchased a ticket from Kingfisher Airlines on May 8, 2008, for journey on September 30, 2008, from Mumbai to Calcutta on flight No. 3513. However, I cancelled my booking on September 28, 2008, after the airlines cancelled the flight and agreed to refund the fare. The refund amount —Rs 3,380 — was processed to my credit card (account No. 43467720 0127) on October 8, 2008 vide reference No. 0900470018088 as per confirmation message sent by Kingfisher Airlines.

Meanwhile, my credit card limit was enhanced by HDFC Bank and a new account No. 4346781004695805 was allotted to me in July 2008. Though the airlines said it has credited my account with the refund, the bank authorities said they did not receive any credit reference from Kingfisher Airlines. What should I do to get my money?

Ashok Kumar Chakraborty,
21/1,Biren Roy Road, (East), Calcutta-700008

Company response: No response.

The expert: From the complaint it appears that in spite of the return of the fare by Kingfisher Airlines, the same has not been credited till date. The refund has been duly confirmed by the airlines upon checking its accounts. In such circumstances, it is advisable to take up the matter with the credit card division of HDFC Bank. If the bank authorities fail to come up with a convincing answer, the complainant should take up the matter with the consumer affairs department, Government of West Bengal, 8B, Nelie Sengupta Sarani, sixth floor, Calcutta-700087.

Train of thought

I lodged a complaint against the chief commercial manager, Eastern Railway, Fairlie Place, asking for refund of excess fare. The manager responded to my complaint in a letter dated July 23, 2008. However, as I was not satisfied with his reply I took up the matter with the cabinet secretary, public grievance cell, Sardar Patel Bhavan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi. The cabinet secretary’s response also failed to redress my grievance. Can I proceed against the railways for collecting excess fare from me?

Aparna Chanda,
H-1, Ma Sarada Complex, Calcutta-700149

Company response: No response.

The expert: Failure to solve the grievance of the complainant amounts to deficiency in service on part of the railways. In view of such circumstances, the complainant can initiate proceedings before the consumer forum, alleging deficiency in service on part of the railways. Since Fairlie Place falls within the jurisdiction of the Hare Street Police Station, the complaint will have to be filed before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Unit II.

Stillborn on maturity

I had invested a certain amount of money with Lloyds Finance Ltd in fixed deposits. When I did not get the amount due to me on maturity of the same, I wrote to the chairman of the special committee set up by the Bombay High Court to look into such matters. However, this was of no help. I appreciate the legal constraints of the special committee but considering that I am a patient of blood cancer, the committee could have at least arranged to make part payment. Can you suggest what should be my next course of action if I fail to get any response from the special committee in six months?

S.N. Sharan,
M-13 (DS) Harmu Housing Colony, P.. Doranda, Ranchi-834002

Company response: No response

The expert: While I understand the mental agony you are going through, I have to point out that the special committee has been formed specifically to get justice for harassed consumers like you. Unfortunately, it takes up cases serially so I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a while longer to get your money back.

Mystery of the missing money

My daughter, Oli Choudhury, held two US64 bonds and she would get Rs 1,215 as interest in June and December every year through cheque. On her request, the money was later remitted directly to her bank account through ECS. One cheque (No. 143170390) dated December 1, 2004, however, never reached her. After a long correspondence, UTI finally sent a duplicate cheque (No. 196859144) dated May 9, 2005.

The bonds matured in June 2008 and at the time of final payment, UTI deducted a sum of Rs 1,215 from the total amount, stating that it had been “recovered” but did not specify a reason for it. What should our next step be?

A.K. Maitra,
D-3/502, Peerless Nagar, Panihati, Calcutta-700114.

Company response: No response.

The expert: From the complaint it appears that a duplicate cheque was sent to Oli Choudhury. If that is so, the question of recovery does not, and cannot, arise. It would be best to take up the matter for clarification with the UTI office at N.S. Road, Calcutta. I am sure the consumer-friendly approach of UTI will help you get the matter sorted out.