Law students invoke consumers' right to be heard

A group of law students here has invoked the statutory right of consumers to be heard and assured of protection of their interests while raising an intriguing issue of the “huge gap” between the Bench of presiding members of the Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and the place earmarked for parties to argue their cases.

The students, who have represented a number of consumers in the capacity of authorised representatives, pointed out that the big gap between the Bench and consumer applicants was creating hurdle for the latter, especially senior citizens, in putting their oral arguments while seeking relief.

Students Anushka Sharma, Kumar Shanu and Paras Jain have submitted a representation in public interest to the Consumer Commission's president, Justice Veena Birbal, drawing her attention to the issue.

The representation said the distance between the Bench and the place earmarked for parties to argue was very convenient in the District Consumer Forums of the Capital.

“A large number of consumers represent their complaints and appeals in person without engaging lawyers. They face difficulties in communicating their grievances and in handling queries of the presiding members in a proper manner,” said the three law students.

The gap was defeating the very purpose of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which specifies the consumers' right to be heard and be assured that their interests would receive due consideration at an appropriate forum, stated the representation.

Besides, there is no proper arrangement for microphones in the Commission, which also creates problems for the president and other members in communicating with the consumer applicants and other parties.

The students have requested Justice Birbal to arrange for minimising the gap in line with the distance maintained at the District Consumer Forums for the convenience of consumers as well as the presiding members of the Commission within a reasonable time period.

They said the big ‘gap’ between the Bench and the consumer applicants was becoming a hurdle especially for senior citizens

Sources:  http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/law-students-invoke-consumers-right-to-be-heard/article8043283.ece