Absence of Consumer Courts hurting people
Commission for consumers to be notified shortly: Law Secretary
Srinagar: In absence of Consumer Courts, people are suffering immensely in Jammu and Kashmir.
With the introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, apart from State Human Rights Commission, State Information Commission, State Electricity Regulatory Commission, State Commission for Protection of Women and Child Rights, State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, State Vigilance Commission, State Backward Classes Commission, State Accountability Commission, Government of India also closed the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The closure of these Commissions particularly District Consumer Forums has escalated the woes of common people.
Thousands of cases had already been pending at District Consumer Forums. These cases are now unattended due to winding up of Consumer Courts.
“I was waiting for the disposal of my case but last year its fate was sealed even before pronouncing any order,” said a local identified as Ali Mohammad.
“Consumers used to approach this court with ease. This was the only alternative for them to get quick justice but now they have nowhere to go,” he added.
“We can say consumers’ rights are not protected in Kashmir now. We are hopeless and don’t know what to do,” said Muhammad Saleem.
As per latest data, there were around 2,500 pending cases when the commission was closed in October, 2019.
When this issue was raised with the Law Secretary Achal Sethi, he informed that a Committee has been constituted and the matter will be notified shortly.
“A Committee under honorable Judge Rajesh Bindal has been constituted with two other members. A new notification will be issued by the government shortly to set up State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission,” Sethi said. (KNT)
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