Consumer Protection Act to be amended: Prof. Thomas
STATE CONSUMER COURT PRESIDENTS AND SECRETARIES’ CONFERENCE INAUGURATED
The Government will soon amend the Consumer Protection Act 1986 to expand its coverage and make it more effective. So as to eliminate the backlog of cases in various consumer courts, the Central Government is impressing upon the State Consumer Affairs Departments to support consumer fora with infrastructure and filling up vacancies.
This was stated by Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas at a conference to mark the World Consumer Rights Day, here today. The conference is being attended by the members of the National Commission, Presidents of State Commissions and Secretaries of Consumer Affairs of all States and
The Minister informed that in the over a decade of existence, consumer courts have disposed of about 30 lakh cases out of 33 lakh cases filed before them. This constituted 89% disposal rate, consider very high. However, pendency of nearly 3 lakh cases is a matter of great concern, the Minister said.
Prof. Thomas assured that all necessary financial support will be provided for improving infrastructure at National, State and District levels.
In their addresses, the President of the National Commission, Justice Ashok Bhan, and Secretary (Consumer Affairs), Shri Rajiv Agarwal, appealed to the States to make use of the initiatives taken by the Centre and the funds provided to them so that consumer courts operate more efficiently and pendency is liquidated.
Justice R.V. Ravindran, Supreme Court Judge, emphasised that mediation should be promoted as the first means of consumer dispute redressal. This would lead to very quick and inexpensive redressal of consumer disputes.
The two-day conference will discuss ways to further strengthen the consumer movement in the country. The World Consumer Rights is observed on 15th March every year.
