HC Notice to Delhi Govt on Huge Pendency of Cases in Consumer Courts
Indian Observer Post
New Delhi, Dec 06, 2018: The Bench of Hon’ble Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and Justice Kameshwar Rao was pleased to issue notice to Delhi Government and has directed the Government to file its reply on the issue of huge pendency of consumer cases in various consumer forums and State Commission of Delhi, in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Delhi based NGO Dignity Restoration and Grievance Settlement Association, which is popularly known as ‘Dignity India’.
Dignity India, is a seven years old NGO and an umbrella organization of more than 75 associated member NGOs which are based in different states of India and working in the field of consumer awareness and grievance settlement.
Advocate Shantha Devi Raman appeared on behalf of NGO Dignity India and raised the issue of huge pendency of cases in District Forums and state commission of Delhi, vacancy of members and staff positions, lack of infrastructure, untrained staff and not adhering to summary procedure by the State Commission and District Foras .etc. Lack of strong will of the Govt. of NCT to adhere to the guidelines already framed by the central government to curb such pendency in consumer forums is also one of the many reasons of such situation.
She argued that the consumer cases remain pending in the Consumer Forums for a long period of 5 to 10 years, which has defeated the whole object of this beneficial legislation namely Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
“The consumers are suffering a lot due to huge pendency of the cases in various local courts and Forums. It has defeated the whole concept of creating these Forums and Courts for early settlements of Consumer related grievances,” said Dr. Arun Kumar, Chairman of Dignity India who took the initiative to raise this issue and filed a PIL in Delhi High Court.