Monday, Mar 31 2025 | Time 20:49 Hrs(IST)
States » NorthPosted at: Mar 29 2025 12:42AM


HP HC gives Apr 4 deadline for appointments to state consumer bodies

Shimla, Mar 28(UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Friday directed the state government to ensure the appointment of members to HP State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) and District Consumer Commissions by April 4.
The court further ordered the filing of a compliance affidavit by April 10 and listed the matter for compliance on April 11.
The HC bench, comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Ranjan Sharma. said the state must appoint members to the SCDRC and District Commissions based on the recommendations of the Selection Committee by April 4.
The outgoing President of the SCDRC, set to retire on April 5, 2025, shall continue in office as a temporary arrangement until a regular appointment is made, irrespective of age or retirement date.
The process to fill the post of the SCDRC President must begin immediately after the Supreme Court delivers its judgment in the Special Leave Petition that challenges the Bombay High Court’s ruling on appointment rules.
The state government had cited legal ambiguities due to pending litigation before the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench, which had initially struck down certain provisions of the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020.
However, the High Court noted that despite the*completion of the selection process in November, 2024, the state had failed to act on the recommendations for over four months, causing unnecessary delays in the functioning of consumer forums.
The State, represented by Advocate General Anup Rattan, argued that no statutory timeline existed for appointments post-recommendation. However, the court rejected this justification, emphasising that consumer protection is a public interest issue and delays undermine the purpose of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The bench highlighted that the non-functioning of consumer commissions harm consumers, who rely on these forums for speedy justice. It referenced similar interim relief granted by the Punjab & Haryana, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh High Courts to ensure continuity in consumer dispute resolution. UNI ML SSP
Tags: #HP HC gives Apr 4 deadline for appointments to state consumer bodies
More News
'Bhagirathi' of UCC originating from Uttarakhand will flow across country: Dhami

'Bhagirathi' of UCC originating from Uttarakhand will flow across country: Dhami

31 Mar 2025 | 8:29 PM

Bareilly (UP), Mar 31 (UNI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said that the Bhagirathi (mammoth) effort regarding Uniform Civil Code (UCC) that started from Devbhoomi will spread across the country.

see more..
Chugh criticizes Punjab govt

Chugh criticizes Punjab govt

31 Mar 2025 | 8:07 PM

Hoshiarpur, Mar 31 (UNI) BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Monday launched a scathing attack on the AAP-led Punjab government, alleging administrative failures, corruption and financial mismanagement.

see more..

Palestinian flag waved in Saharanpur, five arrested

31 Mar 2025 | 8:01 PM

Saharanpur (UP), Mar 31 (UNI) A section of Muslim youths created a ruckus and waved Palestinian flags while raising pro-Palestine slogans at the Chowk Ghantaghar of Saharanpur city in western Uttar Pradesh on Monday, police sources said here.

see more..
Punjab: VB arrests SHO, ASI for demanding Rs 1 5 lakh bribe

Punjab: VB arrests SHO, ASI for demanding Rs 1 5 lakh bribe

31 Mar 2025 | 7:57 PM

Hoshiarpur, Mar 31 (UNI) In a major crackdown on corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Monday arrested a Station House Officer (SHO) and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in Hoshiarpur district for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh.

see more..

Six major routes of UP being reconstructed and strengthened

31 Mar 2025 | 7:56 PM

Lucknow, Mar 31 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government is rapidly advancing the development of key road networks across the state, ensuring seamless connectivity in Awadh and Purvanchal, official sources said here on Monday.

see more..