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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government to cure defects in facilities being provided at the City's Consumer Forums in a plea raising the issue of lack of infrastructure and positions lying vacant in forums in the national capital.

A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad has directed the Delhi Government to cure small defects in facilities like the availability of toilets, water, chairs, etc.

The bench was hearing a plea seeking direction to immediately fill the vacancies of member judges in the District Consumer Forums, Delhi, and to complete the quorum. The plea further sought direction to provide adequate infrastructure and basic amenities to the District Consumer Forums, Delhi.

Today, the counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that there are no facilities for toilets, water, chairs, etc. Furthermore, he added that "Being a lawyer, we have done whatever we could have done."

In view of the above, the bench has directed the government to cure the small defect and listed the matter for further hearing on June 27, 2023.

Additionally, the bench while perusing the report submitted by the Delhi Government noted that out of 30 vacancies of the members, 26 are filled up and for the remaining 4, the recruitment process is going on.

Earlier, the High Court had sought a better status report detailing the district-wise particulars of the vacancies as well as infrastructure facilities available at the city's consumer forums.

The court had further directed the Delhi government to provide particulars including:

• The number of sanctioned posts of the members of the Consumer Forums;
• The number of actual incumbents as on date;
• The sanctioned strength of support staff of each of the Consumer Forum and the actual strength thereof;
• The drinking water and toilets facilities provided for both men and women at such Consumer Forums;
• Whether there is any facilities provided for holding virtual hearing at such Consumer Forum and;
• The telephone connections, if any, provided in the Consumer Forums for access by the public and
• Whether the said telephone connections are active working or not.

As per the report submitted by the Registrar, Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, there was an acute shortage of space and support staff in the State and the District Fora.

Case Title: Sangam Singh Kochar v Ministry of Law & Justice & Anr.