Consumer fora functioning with borrowed furniture

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUG. 15. It may sound strange. Even eight months after they were constituted, about half-a-dozen courts in the State, started with the main objective of speedy disposal of consumer- related cases and protection of consumer interest, are without an adequate number of staff members and furniture.

Endurance seems to be the best solution to overcome the problem and the fora function with furniture brought from home and in some instances borrowed.

Official sources say the fora functioning without furniture and with insufficient staff strength are at Tiruvellore, Namakkal, Theni, Karur, Perambalur and Tiruvarur, which were carved out of their parent revenue districts. In Perambalur, the handicap had been faced by the forum for the past one year-and-a-half, since its inception.

The sources say that it was with great difficulty that rented accommodation was found for the courts at different places. The courts now have to overcome other obstacles-inadequate manpower, furniture, stationery and photocopiers. In some places, the judges have brought furniture from home so that the courts could be run and the public are not put to inconvenience. Another method is to borrow furniture from other district fora. The number of junior assistants and stenographers is inadequate.

It is not as though shortage of funds comes in the way of purchase of furniture and stationery. The sources say the Centre gave a one-time grant of Rs.2 crores nearly four years ago and this amount is meant for construction of buildings and provision of other infrastructure for the consumer disputes redressal agencies. But the State Government is yet to release the amount.

The sources explain that going by past experience, identifying talent for appointment as members of the district fora has become an uphill task. Apart from the qualification stipulated in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, the poor honorarium comes in the way of eligible candidates from taking up the posts. Though the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has recommended an honorarium of Rs.10,000 plus travelling allowance, at present the members get Rs.5700. The authorities concerned have already drawn the attention of the State Government to the matter.

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Section  : Southern States
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