JUDGE RAPS GOVT ON SUB STANDARD FORUMS

Supreme Court judge T S Thakur today came down heavily on government for inadequate facilities at consumer tribunals and even said "deficiency" is "denial of justice".He also suggested that the government should ask print media to carry free advertisements on consumer awareness in lieu of subsidised newsprints they get. Expressing concerns over poor infrastructure facilities at various consumer tribunals, Thakur said: "Deficiency in tribunals is denial of justice." "...it is a grave mistake to think tribunal is another department of the government. Tribunals are independent adjudicating bodies that ought to be given respect and attention. They ought to be treated in the same platform as court," he said addressing an event organised in the backdrop of the World Consumer's right day. He also expressed anguish that the government has not been able to provide adequate staff and infrastructure in consumer forums despite the Consumer Protection Act being in force for 26 years. "The government works very slowly I am not talking about any party in power or one or two parties. But 26 years is a limit and you do not have a clerical cadre to recruit your people. You depend on the Food and Supplies Department to send a stenographer to you, while perhaps you are still dictating your judgement," he observed.Amid this situation, Thakur said, the judiciary would interfere if such issue is brought before courts."If a tribunal does not have steno or clerk and this matter is brought before High Court and PIL in Supreme Court. You all say we will not interfere because it is administrative matter. Certainly court will interfere," he said. "Let us not create a situation where the government has to be forced to do it. If the government does itself it will be grateful and admirable thing to happen," he added. Thakur noted that the government is making efforts to create consumer rights awareness through 'Jago Grahak Jago' campaign without strengthening infrastructure facilities in tribunals to provide speedy justice. He said the day is not far when consumers would tell the government, "Jago (wake up) as Consumer Affairs Ministry. I have come to you but you are sleeping and doing nothing. Hum jag gaye, aap jago (we are awaken, now you wake up). That will be the situation tomorrow." For creating cost-effective awareness, Thakur said: "You are giving subsidised newsprint to the media. ...You dole out subsidies without any corporate liability to do some service to the country. ..media, which is availing this subsidised newsprint, ought to carry some messages free for the benefit of people." Stating that consumer tribunal is an extended arm of judiciary, Thakur said, "Neglecting the tribunal is neglecting the judicial process and depriving the people right to access to justice." The process of work that tribunal does is the traditional domain of a court.Praising the consumer tribunals, Thakur said, "You have done well, perhaps, better than civil court. You have disposed off 90 per cent of cases, commendable performance. ..You have been able to work 18 hours a day and show results despite deficiencies." Thakur also pointed out that recommendations of such conferences are not acted upon by the government.