Food & Civil Supplies Minister Shri Imran Hussain reviewed the functioning of the Consumer Affairs Department, Delhi State Consumer Redressal Commission(DSCRC), and various district Consumer Commissions of the Delhi Government today.
The meeting was attended by Hon’ble Justice Dr. Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, président of DSCRC, Dr. Dilraj Kaur, Secretary (Consumer Affairs) along with senior officers of the Consumer Affairs Department, Government of Delhi. The Consumer Affairs Department briefed F&S Minister at lengt regarding the functioning and performance of the Consumer Affairs Department.
DSCRC has taken significant steps in the last eight years to resolve consumer related disputes in an efficient manner. Delhi is also among the first states to have launched an e-filing consumer complaints system.
Reiterating Kejriwal government’s commitment towards protecting consumer rights, the F&S and Consumer Affairs Minister Shri Imran Hussain directed the Secretary (Consumer Affairs) to expedite the work of setting-up a new District Consumer Commission for Shahdara district as land for the construction of District Consumer Commission has been already identified for the same. Presently 10 District Consumer Commissions are functioning across Delhi.
The Consumer Affairs Department informed the Minister that around 6,100 fresh cases are registered per year in the State Commission and various District Consumer Commissions. An estimated 8800 cases are disposed of by the Commission in a year, including previously lodged cases. However, pendency and a huge backlog of cases has been observed, which the Commission needs to address expeditiously. It should be noted that all the Commissions are now functioning at full strength.
The F&S Minister also directed the Secretary (Consumer Affairs) to provide sufficient ministerial staff for smooth functioning of the State Commission and District Consumer Commissions so that expeditious disposal of pending cases can be ensured. The Department assured Shri Imran Hussain that the needful will be done on a priority basis.
The Minister also instructed the Consumer Affairs Department to explore the feasibility of acquiring additional space for smooth functioning of the State Commission in Vikas Bhawan at ITO. Shri Imran Hussain also reviewed the status of setting up a Mediation Cell there. He was informed that the mediators have been appointed and have started the function of mediation for redressal of grievances. The Minister added that Consumer Commissions and Mediation Cell be provided adequate infrastructure including space staff, computers and other mechanisms for smooth functioning of office work. The Delhi Government has started the Mediation Cell in order to provide a platform to resolve consumer grievances expeditiously.
