New Delhi, 13 August (H.S.): The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the growing litigation burden on the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and suggested that the Centre consider establishing regional and circuit benches to reduce the backlog of pending cases.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that consumer forums should not become rehabilitation centres for retired judicial officers.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice referred to a news report in which a complaint filed in 2019 was listed only in 2021. He observed that if cases continue to be handled at such a pace, the backlog will only keep increasing.

The Supreme Court also suggested that the functioning of state and district consumer forums should be audited to assess their performance. The Court directed the NCDRC president to submit a report on the cases pending before its various benches.

The Court further stressed the need to establish clear timelines for the disposal of cases before both the NCDRC and State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions.

During the proceedings, the Supreme Court also pointed to serious deficiencies in the quality of functioning of district consumer forums. It observed that these forums often fail to properly understand the nature of complaints and determine how cases should be adjudicated on their merits.

The Court's observations underline the need for structural reforms and improved efficiency within the consumer dispute redressal system so that cases can be decided within a reasonable timeframe and consumers are not forced to endure prolonged litigation.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar