City to have consumer courts in each district: Govt

Delhi Consumer Affairs Minister Imran Hussain on Monday reviewed the functioning of the Consumer Affairs Department, Delhi State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission and various other District Consumer Forums.

The department has identified few sites for the functioning of the four Benches of the Commission including at — Nigam Bhawan (Kashmere Gate); Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg and Vikas Bhawan II (near Civil Lines).

"The new sites will be finalised in consultation with Justice Veena Birbal, who heads the Commission. The new site will be not only be convenient to the Presiding Officers of the Benches but for the public as well," a senior officer said.

The Delhi government has sought to set-up Consumer Courts in every district in the vicinity.

Presently there are 10 District Consumer Forums functioning in various parts of Delhi. These Forums are located at — Tis Hazari Court for North District; Udyog Sadan, Qutub Institutional Area for South -I and South II Districts; Convenient Shopping Centre, Shalimar Bagh for North-West District; C Block Community Centre, Janakpuri for West District; Weavers Complex, Nand Nagari for North-East District; Vikas Bhawan, IP Estate for New Delhi District; Local Shopping Centre, Sheikh Sarai –II for South West District; ISBT Building, Kashmere Gate for Central District and Convenient Shopping Centre, Saini Enclave for East District.

The minister pointed out that South-West District Forum is functioning from the South District only and has since asked the Department to expedite efforts for shifting this District Consumer Forum to a site located in the South-West District itself.

Hussain also directed Commissioner Food Safety to expedite the setting-up of a new District Consumer Forum already approved by the Cabinet for Shahdara District.

The minister also reviewed the pendency and disposal of cases with Commission and District Consumer Forums. Around 6,000 fresh cases are registered per year with the Commission and the district forums. However, there are about 18,000 pending cases.

"The Consumer Affairs Department is in the process of devising a strategy for disposal of pending cases. Early disposal would require additional commitment of manpower, space, financial resources etc, and it would seem appropriate to devise a plan fixing a one-year target for the disposal of pending cases," the officer said.

CURRENT FORUMS

• Presently there are 10 District Consumer Forums functioning in various parts of Delhi. These Forums are located at — Tis Hazari Court for North District; Udyog Sadan, Qutub Institutional Area for South -I and South II Districts; Kashmere Gate for Central District, etc.