SHRI YADAV CALLS FOR SPEEDY DISPOSAL OF CONSUMER
CASES
Shri Sharad
Yadav, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
has called upon the consumer courts to dispose of cases strictly
adhering to the prescribed time limit. He was addressing a gathering
of eminent jurists, members of bar association and consumer activists
on the occasion of laying the foundation stone for 'Upbhokta Nyay
Bhavan', office building of National Consumer Disputes Redressal
Commission, here today. The foundation stone for this building
to be built over an areaof 5,000 sq. mt. of land at INA Market
was laid by Justice Shri V.N.Khare, Chief Justice of India.
Shri Yadav
pointed out that the amended Consumer Protection Act which comes
into effect from today coinciding with the World's Consumer Rights
Day has provisions to ensure better and efficient functioning
of Consumer Courts enabling them to dispose of cases without delay.
He appealed to the Presidents of National and State Consumer Disputes
Redressal Commissions and Secretaries of State Governments in
charge of Consumer Affairs to have frequent interaction to ensure
closer monitoring of functioning of Consumer Forums so as to render
justice to consumers on time. The Minister also urged the forums
to utilise the one-time grant available to them from the Department
of Consumer Affairs for strengthening the infrastructure facilities
of Consumer Courts.
Later, addressing
a conference of Presidents of National and State Consumer Disputes
Redressal Commissions and Secretaries in charge of consumer affairs
in states and union territories here today, Shri Wajahat Habibullah,
Secretary, Consumer Affairs, urged the courts to uphold equality
and fair play in their functioning. Enumerating the provisions
of the Consumer Protection Act 2002, he said adherence to judicial
ethics was crucial in building consumer confidence. The consumer
courts have disposed of 81 per cent of the total 18 lakh cases
filed in them so far, he said.
Speaking
on the occasion, Justice Shri D.P.Wadhwa, President, National
Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) welcomed the provision
of the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 for making justice delivery
system more effective and prompt. The provision to maintain a
panel of jurists where from members could be recruited to consumer
courts at short notice in case of emergency situation was welcome
in the smooth functioning of the courts, he said. He also recommended
proper remuneration to the presidents and members of district
forum and state commissions in the interest of consumer justice.
