SC Asks Centre to Consider Sanctioning Addl Posts and Allotting Addl Space in NCDRC [Read Judgment]

The Supreme Court has directed the state governments to frame appropriate rules in exercise of the rule-making power under Section 30 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 in accordance with the Final Draft Model Rules submitted by the Union of India.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra also asked the Central government to consider:

• Requirement of the NCDRC for sanctioning additional posts in the right perspective so that the efficacy of its work is enhanced.


• Request for the allotment of additional space to the extent of 37,249 sqft of the NCDRC in the right perspective and to make additional space available.


• To file status report in the matter of salaries, honorarium and other allowances of the president and members of the NCDRC.

Justice Indu Malhotra also took note of the fact that, out of 204 additional posts required to be created according to the norms recommended by the Staff Inspection Unit, 51 posts have been created, leaving a balance of 153 posts.

The court also observed that the dearth of space is seriously hampering the functioning of the NCDRC.  Referring to an affidavit filed by NCDRC, it said: “The affidavit filed on behalf of the NCDRC indicates the dire necessity of procuring additional space. The filing of cases has gone up by nearly 300 per cent, be it consumer complaints, first appeals or revision petitions. This Court has been apprised of the fact that there is no space available for storing the files of fresh cases, which are lying in the corridors. The record room of NCDRC is packed to its capacity. An apprehension has been expressed that unless the Union Government intervenes in the matter on a pro-active basis, a stage will be reached where due to space constraints, it will not be possible to trace out files of cases to be heard by the Benches. Further, due to the increased filing, there is a need to constitute additional Benches. In the existing infrastructure, there is little space for Court halls, Chambers and for the supporting staff.”

The matter has been now posted to 28^th August 2018.

Background

The court was considering a writ petition which highlighted paucity of infrastructure in the consumer fora all over the country. In January 2016, it had constituted a three-member committee presided over by Justice Arijit Pasayat to examine these issues. On 4th March, 2017, the three-member committee submitted a detailed report to the court.  Pursuant to its directions, the Union of India had placed before the court the draft rules and had made a suggestion that these rules be adopted by the state governments.