No Dedicated Building For Consumer Forum In Punjab Districts? High Court Seeks Response From State Govt

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today sought response from the Punjab Government on a plea alleging that there is no dedicated building or adequate infrastructure for running District Consumer Commissions in three districts of Punjab namely Malerkotla, Fazilka and Pathankot.

Division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sudhir Singh during the hearing asked, "is there any any building established for running the consumer forum in these districts?"

Answering the query the petitioner claimed, "there is just a room...without any amenities like electricity or water."

Chief Justice Nagu then orally told the Punjab Government counsel, "You will have to provide all the amenities."

Considering the allegations, the bench also issued notice to the State.

Kanwal Pahul Singh, a lawyer by profession, filed the PIL stating that in the above three districts of Punjab no infrastructure has been provided for District Consumer Commissions.

The plea highlights that the Consumer Fora are not in a position to provide justice or run effectively, since the fora themselves are not in a position to function due to lack of basic infrastructure.

"The establishment can never mean appointment of President and Members only but it must be established with requisite infrastructure with complete manpower, only then, the commission can discharge its functions effectively and in proper and appropriate manner," it added.

The matter is deferred to February 18, for further consideration.

Title: Kanwar Pahul Singh v. State of Punjab & Ors.