ORDER : 1. A complaint filed by the respondents before the District Forum [District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ambala.] succeeded. The opposite parties before the District Forum, being the petitioners here, were directed to make payment to the respondents as follows: "I. To pay Rs.3,00,000/- with interest @ 15% p.a. from the date of filing of the complaint till its payment. ii. To pay Rs.1,00,000/- as compensation for harassment and mental agony. iii. To pay Rs.500/- towards costs of proceedings". 2. In appeal carried by the petitioners, the State Commission [State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Haryana, Panchkula.] did not disturb either the findings of the District Forum as well as the amounts referred to above under different heads except that it reduced the amount of compensation for harassment and mental agony from Rs. 1,00,000/- to Rs. 50,000/-. The National Commission [National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi], in revision, has upheld the order of the State Commission vide the impugned judgment and order. 3. It is not in dispute that although the petitioners have kept in deposit with the registry of the District Forum Rs.3,00,000/-, but it has not paid Rs. 50,000/- awarded as compensation for harassment and mental agony and Rs. 500/- towards cost of proceedings to the respondents. It is also not in dispute that the respondents have since withdrawn Rs. 2,00,000/- out of the aforesaid deposit. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that while the they have no grievance with regard to the quantum of compensation/costs awarded to the respondents, the rate of interest awarded is on the higher side and that the same may be reduced appropriately. 5. This submission of learned counsel for the petitioners is vehemently objected to by learned counsel for the respondents. He cites the agony and harassment that the respondents had to face since 2004, when the complaint came to be lodged, and also urges that the discretion exercised by the District Commission, on facts and in the circumstances, does not warrant any interference. 6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties, we are of the considered opinion that award of the rate of interest @ 15% p.a. is indeed excessive and, therefore, interest of justice would be sufficiently served if it is reduced to 9% p.a. from the date of filing of the complaint till the payment is made by the petitioners to the respondents. 7. 7. The special leave petition is, accordingly, disposed of with a direction to the petitioners to make payment of interest @ 9% p.a. as directed above on the sum of Rs.3,00,000/-, plus Rs.50,000/- on account of compensation for harassment and mental agony and Rs.500/- towards costs to the respondents, within two months from date, failing which the respondents shall be at liberty to proceed for execution. 8. Since Rs. 2,00,000/- has been withdrawn by the respondents, as noted above, the Registry of the District Forum is directed to release the balance amount within a period of a month from date of approach being made by the respondents with a certified copy of this order. 9. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.