Lok Sabha Question No. 294 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-19
Subject: Complaints against Consumer Courts
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 294

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2016

## COMPLAINTS AGAINST CONSUMER COURTS

294. SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH: SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  complaints  against  the  consumer  courts  for improper functioning and delay in disposal of cases;
- (b) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of cases registered, disposed and pending during the last three years along with the action taken to improve the system;
- (c) whether the Government is working with various trade bodies to minimize the cases of duping of consumers by the companies and if so, the details thereof and response of the industry thereto; and
- (d) whether the Government has a proposal to establish a study group to suggest some more measures  to  protect  the  rights  of  consumers  apart  from  the  court  route  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h ¼Jh jke foykl ikloku½

## THE MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) :

Yes, Madam.

- (b :

The details of such complaints received during the last three years is as under:-

|   Year |   Number |
|--------|----------|
|   2013 |       47 |
|   2014 |       28 |
|   2015 |       70 |

These complaints were forwarded to the National Commission, State Commissions and the State Governments concerned for taking necessary action.

The  steps  taken  to  improve  the  functioning  of  the  Consumer    Disputes  Redressal Commissions/Fora  and to ensure disposal of pending cases are as under:

- (i) The State Governments have been requested from time to time to take action well in advance for filling up of vacancies of President and Members and to maintain a panel  of  candidates  for  filling  up  of  future  vacancies  also  to  avoid  delay  in appointments.
- (ii) Circuit  Benches  from  National  Commission  have  been  frequently  holding  camp courts in States.
- (iii) Some State Commissions have constituted Additional Benches mainly to dispose of backlog of pending cases.
- (iv) The National Commission and some of the State Commissions as well as District Fora are adopting the process of holding Lok Adalats for speedy disposal of the cases.
- (v) The  central  Government  has  been  providing  financial  assistance  to  the  State Governments for strengthening the infrastructure of the consumer  disputes redressal Commissions/Fora.
- (c) : The  Government  has  signed  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  with Industry    associations  and  chamber  of  commerce,  to  work  towards,  inter  alia,  addressing consumer related issues and advocacy action against unfair trade practices and preventing fake, counterfeit and sub-standard products and services to enhance consumer protection.
- (d) : There is no such proposal at present.

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