Vacancies in NCDRC, State Commissions: Supreme Court warns states with ₹2 lakh costs for non-compliance

The Supreme Court on Wednesday warned states that it would impose costs of ₹2 lakh for not filing status reports in relation to the suo motu matter on infrastructure and vacancies in National and State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions..The Bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and MM Sundresh said,"We remind the defaulting states that we will take stern action if reports are not submitted and ₹2 lakh costs will be imposed on them. This will be recoverable from officers.".Senior Advocate and Amicus Curiae in the matter Gopal Sankaranarayanan informed the Bench that some States had not filed status reports in the matter, as previously directed. The Bench observed,"What is the status of reports? Time deadlines are not being adhered to and this throws hearing out of gear. We are not disciplining ourselves."When Sankaranaryanan pointed out that the report filed by the State of Bihar had no information on building space and only contained information on staff, the Court said,"So you want us to issue bailable warrants to you now? Why is the Chief Secretary then not there? Is this the way?".The Court went on to warn the errant States that it would take contempt of court action against them if the reports aren't filed on time."Unless states are very keen to get notices of contempt, they should comply with the deadline," the Bench said while listing the matter for three weeks from today..The Court was hearing a suo motu case regarding vacancies in the National and State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions. On the last date of hearing, the Court had suggested that permanent consumer courts should replace consumer commissions which are manned by retired judicial officers on ad-hoc basis.Justice Sundresh had stated,"Time has come for us to have a permanent court for consumer court and have judges like we select it for district and higher judiciary. You select someone at 35 (years of age) and then there is no accountability, where will the system develop? We have to rethink if we go on with ad hoc continuance of members for 5 years etc.".Time has come for permanent consumer courts: Supreme Court.On August 11, the Court had directed that vacancies in State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions in all States and Union Territories should be filled up within a period of eight weeks.