Name Mismatch Doesn't Void Rs 2 Lakh PMSBY Accidental Death Cover

A consumer commission in Chhattisgarh has ruled in favor of a son seeking a Rs 2 lakh insurance payout for his deceased father. The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) claim was initially rejected by the insurer due to discrepancies in the name and age across the father's documents. The insurer cited variations between 38 and 51 years for age, and 'Janak Ram Beldar' versus 'Janak Singh' for the name. Despite the district commission initially dismissing the complaint, the Chhattisgarh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission overturned this decision on August 11, 2026. The commission found sufficient evidence, including affidavits from family members and police reports, to establish the identity of the insured. It concluded that technicalities like name and age variations could not justify claim rejection when the identity and cause of death were clear. The insurer was ordered to pay the Rs 2 lakh sum assured, plus Rs 40,000 for mental agony and Rs 10,000 for litigation costs. The PMSBY is a government-backed scheme offering accidental death insurance for a Rs 12 annual premium, primarily for low-income workers. The deceased, a contractual labourer at Bhilai Steel Plant, died from a fall during the coverage period. The commission emphasized that consumer forums are equipped to handle such disputes with ample documentary evidence, rejecting the notion that a detailed trial was always necessary.