Consumer courts to take up only urgent matters

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 12

It may take at least two more months before normal functioning of the consumer courts resumes.

The State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, decided to defer the hearing of all routine cases till October. Sources said an order in this regard has been issued by the commission considering the prevailing situation due to the outbreak of Covid-19. All cases fixed for hearing in July before have been deferred to various dates in September and October. While the cases fixed for hearing on July 13 have been adjourned to September 14, those listed for July 31 have been adjourned to October 29. Now, only urgent matters will be heard through video-conferencing on every Monday and Thursday till July 31.

Routine cases deferred

Cases fixed for hearing on July 13 have been adjourned to September 14 and those listed for July 31 have been adjourned to October 29.

Pankaj Chandgothia, consumer activist and advocate, said the court work had suffered the worst due to the pandemic. “Consumer cases, which are supposed to be decided within three to five months as per the Consumer Protection Act, have mostly been adjourned for several months,” he said.

Even the National Lok Adalat that was to be held in consumer courts on July 11 has been cancelled as per the orders of the Chandigarh State Legal Aid Authority.

Chandgothia said the Lok Adalat paved a way for quick settlement of all disputes and put an end to the litigation. With the cancellation of Lok Adalat, chances of settlement have weakened and these cases will now be taken up by the court for regular hearing on August 24.

The commission has provided a schedule for the next dates of hearing on its official website and notice boards.