SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: People across J&K are suffering a lot as Consumer courts were closed since Consumer Protection Act 1986 became invalid in Jammu & Kashmir long time back, while establishment of courts under new Central Laws applicable to the region is still under process. Hundreds of consumers are facing difficulties in summer capital as consumer courts are yet to be notified under Consumer Protection Act 2019 in J&K. Consumers often complained that they are unable to file fresh complaints while already submitted filed are also awaiting settlement. The Consumer Protection Act 2019 came into effect on July 20, 2019, which replaced Consumer Protection Act 1986. “Complaints of nearly 2.50 lakh consumers are pending before courts across J&K. With implementation of the new Act, the existing consumer courts of the time became inactive,” it was revealed by an advocate, who were once associated with consumer courts. He further added that authorities must notify Consumer Courts under new Act. “A large number of clients are calling their counsels, asking if Consumer Courts have been made functional. However, they get disappointed to know that notification in this regard is yet to come,” he asserted, adding that currently consumers are unable to file their complaints related to various disputes and claims, due to non-functionality of Consumer Courts. Expressing similar views, several consumers urged authorities to make Consumer Courts functional in J&K at the earliest.
“New Act enables a consumer to lodge a complaint from both places, where he resides or from where he works. It is more consumer-friendly and will help a lot in settlement of consumer disputes. The new act consists provisions for strict penalties, including jail terms for adulteration and misleading advertisements. More importantly, it also prescribes rules for goods sold through e-commerce,” he said, adding that new law also allows e-filing of consumer complaint.
He added that a concept of product liability has been introduced in new law, thereby allowing aggrieved consumers to claim significant compensation from manufacturer or service-provider. Now consumers have several protected rights, including right to safety, information, choice, redressal as well as right to be heard, to be educated and a mediated settlement, he informed. Meanwhile, according to officials, a committee has already been constituted and process is at its final stage for granting consumer court to J&K.