The Hindu : National : Hold summary hearings, Pawar tells consumer courts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004

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National

Hold summary hearings, Pawar tells consumer courts

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG. 17. The Minister for Agriculture, Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Sharad Pawar, has asked the consumer courts to hold `summary hearings' for the speedy disposal of consumer grievances within the specified time-frame.

"The consumer courts are supposed to dispose of a case within six months, but that rarely happens," he said.

Addressing a conference here of presidents, State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions and secretaries in charge of Consumer Affairs in States and Union Territories, Mr. Pawar expressed concern over the delay in adjudicating cases filed in consumer courts defeating the basic objective for which the fora had been established. He said that though the present disposal rate of consumer courts at 84 per cent was commendable, the delays marred the confidence of the consumer.

Additional benches

He asked Governments to constitute additional benches of their State Commissions and additional district fora wherever the backlog was heavy. He also urged the presidents of consumer forums and the secretaries of States to work with better coordination for expediting the disposal of cases.

"State Governments should ensure that a regular and close monitoring of working of consumer forum is undertaken along with the presidents of State Commissions for their effective and uninterrupted functioning. Vacancies of presidents and members should also be filled quickly by having a panel well in advance,'' he pointed out.

The Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs, L. Mansingh, urged the State Governments to use the one-time financial assistance provided by the Department of Consumer Affairs for strengthening the infrastructure of consumer courts. The utilisation of the fund at present was less than 75 per cent.

`Fill vacancies'

He said the Ministry would soon approach the Planning Commission for more grants for the development of infrastructure for consumer redress mechanism in States and Union Territories.

He also asked the State Governments to fill the vacancies in the consumer fora promptly and complete the networking of consumer courts for a fast-track clearance of cases.

However, the president of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, M.B. Shah, sought the involvement of non-governmental organisations and Consumer Councils for the successful functioning of consumer courts.

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