RTI TO RESCUE OF MEDICLAIM POLICYHOLDERS AWAITING REFUND

The Times of India has carried an intersting news regarding RTI( Right To Information Act )being used by Anant M Nandu.

The news item covered is :

The Right To Information Act has come to the help of thousands of Mediclaim policy holders who have been struggling to get refunds for the excess premium they have paid.

The Central Information Commission (CIC), in a landmark order, has directed New India Assurance Company Ltd to make public the details of the total number of policy holders who are still to get a refund for the excess premium charged. The CIC has asked the firm to provide the information on the company’s website and send a copy of the information to the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority.

The CIC’s order came after RTI applicant Anant M Nandu filed a query seeking details on the number of Mediclaim policyholders charged excess premium even after the quantum of premium was reduced.

Grant Road resident Nandu had filed an RTI query last year after he learnt that the company was charging an extra premium during the renewal of his policy. “I had earlier sent them a letter asking for a refund, but they never responded. That is when I filed the RTI query,’’ Nandu said

The question comes to my mind is CIC could take action because New India Assurance is a PSU.What options we as consumers are having with respect to Privately owned companies?

Can we expect from the Government that RTI Act is also made applicable to Private Banks & Insurance Companies.Consumers will be relieved from the difficulties ,they are facing

Comments are invited.